The Somerset reporter., 1894-08-23
FARM. GARDEN and
HOUSEHOLD.
The Farmer of To-day.

Essag rcad at me Pomona Grange soion, On
r. n. SdIcB1
The subject which we have chosen as
the basis from which to draw few
thoughts, is one that touches each one OF
US. rs tllers of the soil Webster in his
Unabridged dictionary gives various de-
finitions of the word farmer, as tenant,
one who takes taxes, costoms, excise, as
husbandman, and so forth
In what we may say to day, we use the
word farmer as synonymous with hus-
bandman. a term so familiar to every
Patron of our Order 1t cannot be said
to-day. as truthfully as it has been said in
the decades past, that the farmer is
man of no great intelligence and unit to
enjoy the society OF our more refined
cousins of the town or city.
The line which has separated between
the husbandman and family and those OF
the town or city of later years, has been
growing less and will grow less in the
future as the eveling process of education
advances in town and city alike.
But to understand the case more per-
fectly it is necessary to look into the
matter closely and see some of the re-
ourements necessary to adapt the hus-
bandman to the present condition OF
things. Before considering the necessary
requirements of the farmer, let us look at
the condition of things as we find them in
actual life. The soil is perhaps the most
perpexing subject that confronts the
farmer of to-day. Our tillage land has
been under cultivation from Is to 100
years, and has in nearly every instance
been depleted of its virgin strength, and
consequently, fails to produce maximum
crops. 1t is problem that farmers are
trying to solve. how to increase the pro-
ductiveness of their farms, but the prob
lem remains unsolved.
1t may verify be said that 'condi-
ton of things confronts us and not a
theory"
Another thing that affects the farmer,
adversely as often as otherwise, is the
markets.
For more than twenty years the general
tendency ofprces has been downward.
The small margin of profits that the farm
err once realized, has vanished, and he is
left at the close of the year no better than
he was at its commencement. His soil
depleted of its virgin strength with over
production Of all farm crops deprives the
husbandman of all profit. After looking
at the causes that have led to the present
condition of things it would seem but
natural to seek a remedy. 1t looks like
presumption to stand at the theshold to
inquiry and seek remedy, when so many
of the brightest minds have failed to pre-
scribe course of treatment that has been
beneficial to our fellow farmers. 1t may
be that no radical change can be brought
about at once. Rather it seems that if
success is to crown the labors of the hus-
bandman in the future, it must come
slowly. The great changes in Nature
come oftentimes almost unobseryed.
Public sentiment is nodded little by little.
1t seems as though it were process Of
evolution. SO the change in our farm
life for the better may be as slow as the
molding of Public sentiment or the quiet
changes in Nature. Perhaps few sug-
gestions may not be out of order in re-
lation to the course in life that the farmer
may pursue 10 achieve success We
suggest that the farmer of to-day who
determines to win in the face of all OBJ
stacles must be man of study and
thought. His profession must be studied
as thoughtfuly as that of the law, medi-
cine or the ministry. The slipshod meth
DDS of former years will not win success
to-day. The husbandman must study
his soil to know its character and needs
and adapt his farming so as to meet exist
ing condition of things
A thorough course in Agriculture is
one of the needs of the farmer to-day.
A large store of Agricultural knowledge
will have strong tendency to help win
success Every farmer should be a spe-
ciaist in fact, scientist in his profession.
We need not expect to change the
condition of things by legislative enact
ments to any great extent. Our hope
lies rather in adapting ourselves to our
surroundings and overcoming obsta-
Giles by a superior system of farming.