Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-11-08
IMPROVEMENT.

IL has often been said that man cannot
remain for any length Of time in precisely
the same condition, 1t is the theory Of those
who hold this view that stagnation leads
Immediately TO decay. Hence, they claim
that if man is not improving he must, from
the very nature of the case, be deteriorating.
To considerable extent this doctrine is
held to apply TO the general business condi
ton of the man as well as the man himself.
II Is held that if there is no Improvement
the natural tendency to degeneration will
not be counteracted and evidences of de-
cline will certainly and speedily appear.
Just what the possibilities of keeping at
dead level for any length Of time may be
is an interesting question for the student
and philosopher. 1t also concerns the farm
er, for If the doctrine above stated is correct
il furnishes one of the strongest arguments
in favor of constant effort for improve.
ment. There are a great many men, farm.
ers as well as men in other lines of business,
who would be fairly well satisfied if they
could merely "hold their own" but who
would not look with favor upon any retro,
grade movement in their affairs. IL these
men were convinced that In order to keep
up to the mark which they have already
reached they must press on still further
they would feel encouraged, If not impelled,
TO make vigorous and persistent efforts to
increase the measure of their success.
Without laying too much stress upon the
possibilities, il is safe to affirm that the prob
abilities are very great that the man who is
satisfied with his present attainments will
not long be able to hold his ground. He
will surely be left behind by competitors
who are less easily pleased with what they
have thus far been able to accomplish and
who are looking forward to the winning of
greater successes in the future. Therefore,
relatively II not actually, his position will
be constantly losing one.
Whatever may be thought of the theory
that progress has no alternative but deca-
dence, the fact that 1t is the only means by
which man can hold the relative position
which he has secured must be accepted
And the acceptance of this doctrine should
lead to efforts which will result in growth
and development 1t should cause the farm
er to not only endeavor to farm well in a
general way but, in addition to this, it should
lead him each year TO make some special
and marked improvement. In just what
direction this improvement should be made
will depend upon the particular circum-
stances of the farmer. Upon one farm the |
buildings may need enlargement, or alter |
atoms be required to make them more use
full and more convenient, while in some |
cases immediate action is necessary to pre- |
vent them from falling into decay. Another |
farm may be very imperlectly fenced, and |
active effort may be required to prevent |
what is already bad from becoming worse.
The farms upon which better or more
extended system of drainage is needed, in
order to make them as productive as their
natural capacity will allow, are very numer-
Gus, while there are many which sorely
need an artificial water supply. Then there
are farms upon which some Of the fields are
as a whole, or in certain portions, much less
productive than most of the land and which
need special treatment in order to bring
them up to a uniform and satisfactory stand
ard of fertility.
The farms upon which the live stock is
rs profitable as it is possible to make it are
ew in comparison with the number upon
which animals are kept for the purpose Of
making money, and upon farms without
lumber the orchard lie q silent but eloquent