Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-30
THAT FARMERS CONVENTION.

| The Newton Republican thinks the
proposition to hold farmers convention
in this city on the 18th of December te
discuss matters of general interest tc
farmers and the corn questionable kind
of seed, modes of cultivation, etc.-in
particular, a fool notion, After express
ing the opinion that ''if the convention
has no other business before it than to
advise farmers not to plant corn, or to
hunt up substitute for corn, the mem
bers should be taken into custody and
sent to the insane asylum" the Repub-
lican Gains itself and suggests that ''the
proposed convention should, on conven-
ing, adjourn Immediately to convene
next spring in the corn fields of Sedg-
wick county. They should get there as
early as the season will admit and plant
early corn, and keep on planting
till they have planted all
they can tend" Unwittingly the Re-
publican makes some valuable sug-
gestions in this; presents some points
directly in line with the objects of the
meeting; points that will doubtless form
the basis of discussion touching the corn
question.
Our esteemed and usually correct con-
temporary then goes on to remark that
1.-The experience of the last three years
has nothing to do with the case. There
is no evidence that the Almighty has
decided to take the last three years as
pattern for all future seasons. 1t is
liable to rain at any time" Such reason
ing, if it may be digniied by the term,
is, if meant seriously, too strongly inn
pregnated with the idea of fatalism to
be accepted by people who believe that
success in life in material things depends
mainly upon the personal effort of the
individual. 1.-THE experience of the
past three years" has very much ''to do
with the case" if we understand
anything of the philosophy of life. But
for that experience-the partial failure
Of crops, particularly the corn crop, for
the period named-there would indeed
be no need of such conference, such COM
pairing of notes, on the part of those di-
rectly and vitally interested in the matter
under discussion. Everybody could go
ahead after the same old fashion, plant
ing such seed as they happen to have, at
such time and in such way as might
suit their fancy or convenience.
AS for seasons, it is true that cit is
liable to rain at any time" 1t is also
true that it is liable not to rain at the
time when it is needed to make or save
late crops. Experience" not only of
the past three years but for all the past
years, has proven that during the latter
part of July and through the month
of August rainfall sufficient to
amount to a season is a very
rare exception to meet which
settled condition all intelligent citizens,
whether farmers or not, recognize and |
agree that it is necessary to change the
old ways in order to secure more uni
formity and certainty in our great staple |
crops.
The EAGLE does not claim be infalli- |
bic in all its ideas, but it does know that |
for many years it has urged the early
of early varieties of seed, es-
pecially corn, and that during all these
years number of its farmer readers
have acted upon its suggestions, and
that in no case have they failed Of a
crop.
The call for the proposed convention
was mainly the outcome Of the EAGLES
in this matter, though
not at its direct suggestion. 1t is mat
ter of the greatest Importance, and we
hope to see it made full success, as far
as the interchange of views and expert
ence can make it.