The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-03-15
Progress in Agriculture.

Progress in agriculture is made more
difficult by the fact that it will not admit
of rigid rules, like some branches of bust
ness. What may be a step of progress on
one farm may not be on another, because
of a. difference of conditions; yet there
are some general principles which apply
to all farms nearly alike, namely, the
number of times it is best to feed any
particular animal in day; the kind Of
food best adapted to its wants, and the
conditions most productive of health. and
the fertilizer best adapted to the growth
of any particular plant; all will be likely
to be nearly the same on all farms, at
most they will be only slightly modified
by location
While there are many operations on
the farm that must be performed with
reference to the surroundings, there are
also many operations that are based upon
principles that have little reference to
locality.
1t is to this class that in future we
have good reason to look to for rapid
progress In the past our progress has
been retarded for want of concentrated
action. In our investigation Of the feed
ing of animals, we have made slow
progress, because of only individual in
vestigation; but we are beginning to
understand that there is quite difference
between the stomach of a horse and
COW, and that one should be fed in a
different manner from the other; still the
great mass of farmers have much to learn
in this respect. The masses are slow to
adopt new ways, but there are always
lew pioneers who rush into new things so
hastily and become SO enthusiastic over
them that they see only their best fea-
lures, and will make rose-colored re-
ports without suspeeting that they are
doing so. This class often retard progress
by leading in the wrong direction, and
by destroying the confidence Of farmers
in new things
Those who do the most to secure pro-
s gress msagrieulture are those who do not
fear leaving the. cid ruts, yet never leave
them until they have carefully examined
everything relating to the advantages
and disadvantages of the change; and
when they have adopted any new methods
that they are not 50 blinded by It's nov
city that they cannot see. its faults.
Such men by their caution and by their
ca1idor WIN the confidence of the masses.
who in, large numbers Will adopt any
change recommended by them.
- One OF the great wants in this country
to secure rapid progress in agriculture,
has been organized efforts, conducted by
men of science as well as practice; an
organized effort that shall be permanent,
continuing from one generation to an
other Where only individual efforts are
made, they rarely extend beyond the
life of the individual, which, in MANY
lines of investigations, is much too short
time to fully settle what may prove to
be final results
Investigations and experiments made
by an institutionsupported and controlled
by the Government, would not only be
likely to be more permanent than If only
Under the control of an individual. out
the conclusions would be more likely to
be correct, because of being made under
the direction of men adapted to the bust
nees.
The Experiment Stations which have
been established, and which are now he
ing established in this country. will no
doubt assist very much in improving the
condition of the farmers of the country.
not only because of the combined effort
they will. make to improve our present
methods of farming; but by the conf
dence they will secure among all classes.
When it is announced that q certain
method is best, it viii be very generally
adopted; certainly much more generally
than if announced by some irresponsible
or enthusiastic individual.
a present % unreliable are the Ell.