The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-22
Science in Farming.

1t is an encouraging fact that there is
less disposition among practical farm
ers to sheer at scientific methods in ag
riculture, than there has been in times
past, and apparent willingness among
them to accept the conclusions of sci
entlfic research in regard to agricultural
matters. As in various other spheres
of human thought and effort, an alb
surd idea has prevailed that the appli-
cation of scientific principles was in
some way inconsistent with common
sense" methods. that the former were
the outcome of theorists and visionaries
destined to heap upon those who
adopted them the humiliation of fail
ure and the contempt Of sober minded
men.
There may have been some cause for
this feeling, in the foolish experiments
and impracticable schemes Of some who
essayed to teach the science of agricult-
ure; but to suppose that there is an
essential antagonism between scientific
truths and the principles of practical
agriculture is as absurd as to suppose
that thing can be opposed to itself.
TIVE science relates to the causes OF
Things, to principles that are immut.
aoie, to truths that are always and
everywhere applicable. If the pro-
cesses of nature. the termination and
growth of vegetation, the character OF
soils, the distribution of plants. and in
Vulnerable other things that come under
the observation of the farmer, were the
result of chance, like the world OF
Hafefs dream, then it might be allow
ed that 4 knowledge of science IN the
abstract, being, in the nature OF things,
Incapable of application, would only be
| a vexation and WEAKNESS of spirit.
But since al these things are known 10
be controlled by fixed laws, seed-time
and harvest, and all the operations OF
nature, climatic influences and changes,
beng in accordance with certain estab-
lished principles, it would seem to be 8
proper and judicious thing TO gain. as
| far as possible, knowledge OF these
laws and principles.
The word science is derived from a
Latin verb meaning simply to knoW,
and therefore to say that q man has nc
iced of science in order to be good
farmer is really to assert that he car
| succeed Just rs well IL ne - WITHOUT
knowledge, or, in other words, if he il
an idiot. But we are willing to take
the word science in its common &C
ceptation. as meaning the highest form
of knowledge on any given subject II
can be shown that the highest form Of
knowledge on the subject of agricult
ure has resulted in immenee adyant
age to that industry. In fact, it is ow.
ing to the inventions and improvement:
suggested by scientific study that oul
system of agriculture is so far superior
10 that of some of the older civilized
portions of the globe. We owe to il
the introduction of labor-saving ma
aE;nes, many new and improved varie.
ties of plants, and breeds of snimals
and various methods of redeeming anc
utilizing waste and barren lands
As our civilization advances and thu
population of the country increases, di
minishing the average per capita acre
AGE, it will become more and more i'm
portant that the owners and tillers o
the soil shall know how to maintain it
fertility ard increase its productive
power to meet the increasing demand
that will be made upon it-N Y. %
| SsrfsF.