Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-11-06
PROGRESS or AGRICULTURE.

The cheapening of agricultural products
through the application OF improved ma
chinery on the farm, and the saving of food
in making beef, mutton and swine by means
of better bred stock, improved by the use of
pure bred sires, also the early maturity of
feeding animals by which time is saved, has
virtually changed the whole economy of
agriculture
Ii is no longer the drudgery il was ilfty
years ago. Farmers, except class who never
read and never accept new ideas, no long
er suppose II necessary 10 trudge from
dawn 10 dark, neither do they drudge their
teams in the old-iashioned way. The hours
Of labor are lessened, but the intensity of
labor is increased. The best and most sue
cessful farmers to-day are those who read
and think; they work as much with their
brains as with their hands.
1t is matter of historical interest that
the great West, with improved machinery,
has caused its settlement with the most am
bilious and intelligent OF the farmers and
artisans Of the civilized world. 1t is known
also that there is still room for more, but the
bulk of the fertile lands is settled and the
products have filled the markets of the
world with the various exportable products
of the farm TO an extent that would have
been impossible except through the fortui-
tous causes mentioned.
Where will the over-crowded population
of the Old World seek new fieldsl There
are vast tracts eligible to cultivation in Asia
and Africa. Unfortunately the governments
of districts there are not inviting IN the
reading, thinking man. These countries
must come under strong and yet enlight-
ened governments before emigration will
seek them. Before these regions can sue
coed at producing in competition with the
United States they must be settled BY people
who can guide the native population in
proper channels of productions difficult
task in a population welded to old caste
ideas
The English are not colonizing people
in the true sense of the word they govern
but do not seek 10 utilize native industry by
| improved processes, even in the cultivation
of the soil. The Germans have obtained
a foothold in Africa This nation, wher-
ever they COLOMBO. become liberal and in.
telllgent part of the community, and while
not loving the Fatherland less seek TO form
and TO become part Of the growing colony.
They are, with the great original race from
which they sprang, the foremost of our for
eign populations in moulding the destiny of
the United States. IL German immigration
settles the great tracts of Africa and Others
which the genius of Bismarck still seeks TO
grasp AS colonizing outlets for the superb
bundant German population, then this coun.
try will have strong competition for agri
cultural products-products which we now
largely supply 10 the markets of the world.
IL is gratifying to our sense Of national
pride, MS well as 10 our collective and ind.
vidual interest, Ia know that the United
States is seeking To extend her exports, par.
ticularly OF manufactured products A wise
policy would seem 10 he 10 seek new fields,
81 We could stand on "A fair footing with
other nations, particularly England, our
strongest competitor la this direction Our
agricultural machinery and implements are
acknowledged to be superior TO any in the
world. The country is fast becoming filled
with high-class, rare breeds of horses, cat
Tie, sheep, swine and poultry.
The future agricultural prosperity Of the
United States would seem to lie, as one OF
the practical directions, in seeking market
in growing regions for our fine stock, and
also our grain and vegetable seeds. While
il is time that our increasing industrial pop
nlaton will, year by year, more and more
nearly consume our products, yet in the
matter of improved live stock, at least, the
Southern continent bids fair TO offer fair
field and a fair opening for trade, small at
first 1t may be, but no less important as con.
shutting AN entering wedge, and with a
prospect of wide extension.