The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-04-28
Farm, Garden, and Household,
For the Journal
HOW SHALL WE FARM ?

This Is very pertinent inquiry, one that will
naturally arise in these days of scientific discovery
and Improvement, and one that should be asked by
every tlller of the soil. Till there is established
rule attained that will give the highest and best re-
suits for capital invested, and labor expended,
there must be halting in opinion, and errors in
practice, and reproaches TO scientific inquiry.
Many follow 81 routinc paths and theories. es-
tabliShed hy their ancestors, and by CUSTOM with
out trying any Of the new methods. They look
upon ''book farming" a, a sort of tancfu affair,
suited only to those who have full purses and little
experience ON the other hand the ''Book Far
mers' set but little value timehonored practices,
and usages of the other class. These are the two
extremes. Between these III grades. and so far
II NV observation extends. the most successful
lass of farmers 10 day, are those who unite Book
Farming" with experience and observation, and
with the better part of the traditions that have come
down from our foretatlcrS. To he successful
farmer requires As good talent as any other employ
nent or profession. This is being seen and felt to-
day When the country was in its virgin fertility,
before it had been wear after year cropped and not re-
lnuncratcd muscle was in order. 70 clear the
forests, build the houses. roads, mills. aud level
down the rough Obstacles and make farm from
ANY nn, could get A crop who could chop trees,
pile, fence, pillow, reap and thrash, with favorable
-,-,,on-. from Il soil whose fertility had been for
,..., trel>uriug up in store for the adventurous
..ttler. Now the case i far different, Continued
.rnlnins With 7cuhy returns, has reduced tins
t.t of natural fertility to low condition; the ele-
urutS have been exhausted, which plants readily
as,imilate. In many cases there remain in the
al lint in t,tn
or in uuantitie, not readily applicable for of
fertility. In other soils some of the elements are
wanting, in others combined with other substances,
and need separating hy third ingredient that must
hr supplied some plants require different ele-
uents in soil from others. Some soils VIII bear a
certain kind of plant. while other kinds will not
flourish in IT, These are somc OF the problems pro-
uase TO the farmer of to-day. 70 meet these
,rs.tuily requires something more than mere mus
Gle 1t requires a scientific knowledge of the
elements of plants, of Soils of atmospheric inllnen
ce, Itrequres careful observation and experiment.
lle farmer need, to he an educated man; he needs
u study his profession with a> much diligence as
the lawyer does his, or The Physician. The farmer
wao,e products feed and clohe the world. should
stand At the head othe scale it iS his duty and his
privilege The Farmers Club, the County Agri
nation, are doing a good work; but not as much as
they might. The Agricultural press is mighty
educator. Here those who will may publish to the
world their experiences, their successes for others
10 emulate; their failures for others to shun.
State Boards Of Agriculture doing good and
iiu-reachng work. Composed OF our most pro-
gressiye and successful farmers, their labor> and
experiences are rich legacy to their brother far
mers. The Reports issued by the state and dis
ributed gratuiton>ly, carry with them, wherever
they lind their way stores OF knowledge and facts
10 Tighten up the farmers pathway. Such is the
position OF Agriculture to-day. Its needs and its
facilities for knowledge have been outlined. This
present time herads better day that will arise for
lhe farming community. The change has begun.
It, first onward movement has been made. We
have but lo press forward in the path of improve
lnent; grcater results await lis i'll the future y.