The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-11-22

D.S. Curtis, in the National Farm

IL. ~ Nutttc. III TIC &'Netcseest Il w W
er, remarks:
The wonderful improvements in
mechanism, in engineering, in the
literal professions, and in mercantile
business, which distinguish our
times. have not been secured by ac
cidert or thoughtless chance, but by
mind, reason, study and thoughtful
ness.
When one farmer, uniformly year
after year, makes better progress
than his neighbors it is not the re-
suit of better luck, but it is the re-
suit of more mind and reason, in
planning and directing the opera
tons, from season to season, OF the
farm work. Studying and expert
menting as TO the best modes, and
nationally observing what proc esses
and circumstances produce the best
results. And quite probably, the ex-
periments, at first, are on a small
area or scale, so that any failure may
not be serious in results, If not as
hoped for.
Man is endowed with a mind and
reason, for this very purpose, capa-
bic of observing, of comparing and
of distinguishing causes and results
in all his operations. Other animals
operate from instinct or first lmpuls-
es, but make no Improvements; the
ant, the bee aud the beaver work
and build now AS they always did,
with no change since the time man
first observed them. Some domestic
animals, it is true, have learilad new
modes under the influence and
training of man, their master. aud
which was the result of his com
manding mind and reason.
Man may observe things, he may
compare results under varied cir
cumstances he may even analyze
causes, and thus arrive at new and
better modes, and thereby produce
superior results with the same spe-
cies. of both animals and vegetables,
and few thoughtful, observing men,
have been doing this Tor ages ; many
more can and ought to do this, es-
pecielly farmers, ior they have the
finest, broadest field of any class for
observation, study and improve
ment; they have all nature and all
productions for their fields aud ma
terials TO work upon.
For instaLce, farmer wishes to
secure a breed of good, hardy milk
ers, he viii thoughttully select
healthy, hardy cows that are known
to be good mixers, and bulls from a
similar stock and then from year
TO year he will take pains to save the
heifers of this issue; and if they
prove as desired, he will have their
issue for the same purpose; all OF
this requires the exercise OF careful
observation and reason. Another
farmer desires to secure an early,
stout straw variety of wheat; he be-
gins by sowing the, at present, best
known seed OF that kind; from its
product, while in the field at harvest
time, he selects the spots showing
the best of wheat he desires, and
saves it for future sowing, aud thus
will secure an improved grain-a
good pedigree of wheat
And if he have the patience and
the spirit, he will further improve
by by bridizing; that is, he will find
heads and stalks standing in field
possessing one desired quality and
in other fields he will find grain
possessing other good and desired
properties; then, when they are both
in bloom, he will remove the dust
(pollen) from the head of one ana
sprinkle it on the head of the other,
and thus incorporate the good points
of both.
But in all these operations to Sc
cure success and superior credit,
mind and reason mustdominate and
direct all the operations; permanent
success and honor comes not from
accident, bat are the result of ade
quate thought and observation; and
particularly SO in the higher and
noblest achievements of agriculture.
No other profession or business
achieves creditable success and
prominence with out careful exer-
else of mind and reason; nor can
farmers make eminen. improve
ment without the dominance and
direction of their reasoning powers
mind must suggest what the hand
shall do.