The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-03-08
TIE AGRlCULI URAL WORLIl
THE RAPID ADVANCE nv sCIENTI-
FIG AGRICULTURE.
New Methods That Have Been Adopt.
ed by PrOEre ssive Farmers-A Stall
for COws-Derrtck for ButcherinH-
Dairy Notes.

The agricultural processes as ordinar-;
lily. observed in this country-in fact
have been followed since we became
known as an agricultural peop]e-have
had a very. exhausting effect on the soil
and could, with the utmost propriety,
be denominated the old system of agri-
culture in contrary distinction to the
new system to be seen in many places,
especially where poverty aud iiliteracy,
the former handnaidens. have been SUI
perseded by intelligence and wealth,
the present associates Of no mean pro-
portion of our food producers.
1t is indeed gratifying to read the
reports from farmers N so many parts
of the country, in some instances in Sec
old system of impOverishment of the
land, showing that farm operations
have been brought into increased value
and profit by this aggressive and prog
ressive improvement, reduced farms
having been reclaimed and enhanced
in value while supporting the family
and adding to the wealth Of the farm
er, in some Instances the products hav-
ing been raised even above the amount
produced in the days when all natures
elements were in the soil undisturbed
and uncallcd for
AS positive as I am that this condition
Of things is becoming more and more
apparent, I am eq tally positive that
agricultural departments Of our papers
stand second to agricultural societies.
in fact as well as name-in furthering
this Improvement. They have set forth
the principles and practical details Of
the new system Of agriculture in all
it's varied conditions. departments and
surroundings. They have demonstrated
the advantages resulting from the ju-
dicious application If new principles
as well as manures; from rood tillage,
from proper rotation Of crops, from
the assistance to be derived frCm root
culture, from the substitution for naked
fallows of clover and Other fallow
crops.
All these means are to be considered
as new methods and have become gen.
orally adopted in connection with am
pie drainage, together with the mechan-
ical advantages to be derived from
subson blowing, and the chemical re-
suits of systems of artificial irrigation.
Notwithstanding all that has been
achieved already, believe that the i'm
provement has but fairly started Many
of the processes which may and will
be resorted to in carrying out aud prac-
tically demonstrating the new system
Of agriculture are yet to a great de-
gree mysteries to large proportion of
the farmers Of the United States
farming in other countries l am not
interested in only in a general way,
| and in so far as their failures may
serve as guides for our own people
although Familiarity known and long
employed by their more enterplising
neighbors. often ostracized by them
merely because they farm by rule
| and not in accordance with the phases
| Of the moon or signs of the zodiac,
who, with less natural advantages, per
haps, are better rewarded for their la.
| bors. Such has been the agricultural
| tons. that the surrounding country
shows the effects by better roads, bet,
ter buildings, better fences. better stock
| aye, and better people.
! The great states bordering on the
five great lakes have increased their
productive capacity. as shown by stats
tics, 20 per cent during the last dec
ade, per cent per annum by virtue
Of reading and profting by what 9th
ers have done or failed to do. The
system inculcated bv the new principles
has, wherever followed up, Increased
the productive capacity Of the farms
every where, sometimes more thar
double. This means an enhanced value
Of at least 100 per cent. It has, ir
short, made every acre Of land, upo1
which it has been practiced ten years
| lying contiguous to markets Of trans
portation facilities. worth much more
| for agricultural purposes.
The zeal which apparently pervades
this entire country for higher and bet
ter system Of agriculture, is displayed
in all geological and other departmental
reports published by the government
in the agricultural surveys Of severa
states, together with the liberal conces
sions made by some Of the agriculture
societies for the encouragement OIL
everything tending to improve and ad
vance agricultural interests. All have
borne the desired Fruit. f. Elson
in Orange Judd Farmer.