Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-30
Scientific and Experimental Farming.

Oome OF the States had eXperlihenU"i
farming stations before the aid received
through congressional legislation, known as
the Hatch bill, became available for that
purpose. That new source of strength mas
infused new life into the reinyigorated
stations which we note for general intorma
ton. We have not observed that plan OF
publishing progress and results, if any has
been provided for, for our State, but pre-
sumo the bulletins Of the Virginia Station
will be issued through the State Depart
ment of Agriculture.
Indiana had Station previously and
with newly-equipped force is already re-
porting progress. The bulletin just issued
reviews the past and outlines the character
of the immediate work in hand as follows :
"Among the most important subjects are
those connected with the exhaustion and
the renovation of the soil. x Il We can
not expect the soil to respond with con-
tinued harvest, if subjected to constant
robbery. Taking money out of the SOIL
and putting it into bank may make rich
fathers, but it will be likely to mako poor
sons. The safest bank of deposit Tor a
farmer is his farm. n We must ex-
pertinent with new varieties of grain,
grasses and fruits, for the purpose OF secur-
ing better quality and larger yield we
must try to find out the best methods OF
seeding. We must experiment in regard
to the adaptability of soils to the various
crops, and in regard to crop rotation, the
use of fertilizers, and the gathering, curing
and preservation of farm products. we
must experiment upon the best methods OF
feeding and taking care of stock, and upon
the production of butter and cheese.
The question how to produce larger ana
better crops is an important one, but tne
question how to prevent the enormous de-
struction of grains, fruits, and OF domestic
animals through disease, is alse an import
ant one. Millions of dollars are lost IN
Indiana every year by improper methods OF
cultivation, millions by fungus diseases,
and millions by insect ravages."
The following is extracted from the bul-
letin of the Kansas Station. 1t makes sug-
gestions which will be of service to farmers
who propose to keep up with the instruc-
ton we are to receive through the establish
ment of the Station in Virginia, as well as
in it's application to those for whose bene-
fit it was written. The farmer must be-
come student in making Investigations.
and ascertain results by practical expert
ment. If successful, he will know the
groundwork of it /; if not, he will ascertain
the reason, and, for the discovery of it, the
progress going on at the Experiment
Station should quickly come to his help:
sThe farmers of the State plainly have a
duty in connection with the Station. tx
perimental Investigations are valuable to
the farmer chiefly that they suggest to
him new lines of thought and action. He
who accepts, without further thought, re-
suits obtained at the Experiment Station is
as much in error as his neighbor who com
pletely ignores the teachings of science. e.
The results of experiment must be finally
farm before they can be said to have prac-
teal value"
The prosperity of Virginia, so sincerely
desired and so earnestly labored for, must,
in the main, come from our agriculture
May we not take new courage and revive
our hopes in expectation Of the early bene-
fits we are to receive through the instru-
mentality Of the Station established at our
Agricultural College? If the time must
be further postponed for the ascertainment
that our agriculture is On q profitable basis,
it would still cheer the old farmer who has
toiled for it to feel the assurance that the
younger of his class will enjoy its benefits
The necessities of Virginia agriculture arr
many. The opportunities of those VIII
have taken charge of the progress that il
to enable the cultivators of the soil to pur
sue their calling under brighter expecta
tions are also many and not without gray
responsibilities.
Extending the application of the frs
words quoted above from the Kansas bull
letin, the duties of farmers in connection
with the scientific and practical instruction
acquired through the operations at tn
Station, and through its applied efforts ar
plain. They must act themselves and ais
encourage their sons to make investigation!
dsily task to be accomplished as essentia
to improve the soil, plant and secure full
: crops as is the manual labor in the roun'
of the work. To enter that field three es
sentials and all within the opportunities O
almost every boy, there is no reason VIII.
with the new progress in farm knowledg
r and economy all should not becom
thoroughly equipped men, qualified to guide
us 10 the realization of the long hoped-fo
prosperity. Education, aptitude and in
: dustry, furnish the basis, and every farme
should see that his boys with such qualif1ca
tions engaging in agricultural pursuit hav'
the opportunity of adding to their knowl
edge the instruction promulgated at the ex
pertinent Station.