The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-14

home comforts and social enjoyments
and may be termed the second or prepar-
story step, which makes ready for another
forward move or higher course in agri-
culture. Here and there scattered over
the country at this period are to be found
those more advanced and progressive than
the rest, who, acting upon the suggestions
this state of things offer, take another ad-
vsnced step by adopting methods of more
improved agriculture still. They talk it
and write it until the public is convinced
that the second or preparatory step has
to enter upon higher course of instruc-
ton and practice. spirit of interest,
inquiry and union is created, which ends
in associated effort, for, from the
very nature of things, this third
step or higher oourse in husbandry can
best be promoted by organized action.
Then let us inquire what is the condi-
ton of Texas at the present time in re-
gard to her agriculture in this particular.
Has she taken the rudimental and prepar-
atory steps? Is she ready to enter upon
this higher course, this Iuew era9 In other
words, has the time come and does the ne
cessity exist for itf believe this ques-
ton may be safely answered in the AFFIRM
alive, and also, that all the conditions are
favorable, and the means abundantly at
hand for successfully taking the step. 1t
is ours, then, to accept the time as propi-
tious and devise or invent the best meth
DDS by wise and judicious use Of the
means at our command for doing the
work necessity has placed upon US.
= Al - aknu IS hi Nrly hn
field of operation, and are the Farmers
institutes the best medium for conducting
1t? pertinent question, and which to
answer fully and satisfactorily would over
tax my ability, even if the limits of this
paper would permit. I might say the
work is to promote the cause of agr:cul-
ture and it would be true in certain
sense, but would be far from satisfactory
as to details, for agriculture in its broad
est sense is not confined alone to the plow-
ing of the soil and growing of the usual
field crops, but will apply to every indus
try and interest of the country based di-
rectly or indirectly upon the SOIL
To investigate these severally in
regards to their wants, adaptability and
possibilities, as to soil preparation, plant
"a
ties, feeding methods, management and
marketing, are methods Offering abun-
dant and useful work for farmers insti'
tutes. Lands are becoming so high in
price and value that farmers want to
know how to get the most out of them
Men are beginning to think about these
things and will want to know the why's
and wherefores, the reasons and safety in
adopting given methods and plans. These
institutes will be expected to gather and
disseminate much valuable information
on these and great many other questions
that will be instructive and useful no
only to those practically engaged and in
terested ia them, but to the entire public
Their field of operation then, must in it.
reach correspond with the character of thu
work and will, therefore, include not only
the field crops common to the farm, bu
also horticulture, pomology, stock raising
dairying, poultry breeding, bee keeping
roads, forestry and water supply; all com
ing properly in the line of their work, tt
which might be added domestic economy
the home circle, social life, and man,
others of Importance. These will suffice
however, to outline the work enough a
least to indicate the mission of these in
stitutes, although it comes short of meas
uring its full scope.
Composed as they are of the differen
pursuits and occupations of life, bringing
into the meetings information 81
varied, practical and useful, witt
the peculiar methods adopted, render
Farmers institutes, as I believe, the bes
possible fundamentally that can be de
viced for accomplishing the work contem
plated. Their facilities for cleaning an
disseminating in formal on and for slim
ulating and advancing agriculture and tn
material interest of the stale are unsur
passed as a private enterprise. The
will enlist the good will and support o
every class of people, because their Worl
| is of vital concern to all and to the stat
as we'll. And as the work progresses an
the benefits are seen and felt their infu
ence for good will increase. But tn
fed is broad one, and the wor
quite considerable, and We SHOULD
enter upon it with an earnestnes
and zeal that will surmount all difficulties
The vast extent of Texas IN territory
the diversity of climate, soil, products
pursuits and interest may seemingl
augment the difficulties In harmonizin
the different sections of the state in tn
movement. But this apparent difficult
will vanish when it is remembered tha
itineraucy is one of, the methods en-
ployed by Farmers institutes, and so ma
be adjusted to the wants and condition
of every locality. They also depend Target
on local aid, and each meeting can be al
ranged to suit the people and place wher
it is held.
Before close 1 want to advert to
matter that is creating some misgiving
in the minds of some of N
Grange and Alliance brethren in regar
to the movement, and that is, that in som
way, and they don't just know how, it will
overshadow, absorb or otherwise injur
these organizations. just as well Nigh
the different churches be afraid of unto
campmeeting lest it should swallow ther
up and destroy organization, when
would really add recruits and strength t
each. So with Farmers institutes, the
are farmers revivals, or campmeetingi
and will have no local or continuing OF
ganizaiion after the meetings are CLOSED
They will add recruits, strength and Unfit
ence to both the Grange and Alliance
they will but throw themselves in lin
and cooperate with the movemen
And now, in conclusion, wan
to say that while the work OF these inst
tr,au ia mt an great lint the peoDle {