The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-06-28

value for the farmers performing them.
Perhaps, at the present time, this is
the most important consideration.
There are many questions affected By
soil and climate that must be decided
for each locality individually, and the
greatest hindrance is the want of
trained experimenters to take up the
work. It is hoped and believed that
we shall find in various localities in
the State intelligent and public spirited
farmers who, for the benefits to be de.
rived by themselves and their fellows,
will be willing to CO operate with the
station in this work.
Observations in the dairy districts
led to the conclusion that this branch
OF agriculture needed assistance. The
theory of making butter and cheese is
fairly well understood but the art, in
many cases, was found to be lament
ably wanting. To bridge over this
gap between science and art, two ex.
pert dairymen were employ ed during
the summer, men who not only knew
much of the science but Of the art of
dairy husbandry as we'll. These men
went from factory to factory, called
few dairymen together and gave valu.
able instruction by first teaching the
leading principles and then by prac-
tically applying them. incidentally
these instructions did much good by
calling attention to untidy surround
ings and irrational methods of treating
cattle.
There has been demand for infor-
nation on many subj scts, but espe
cially on the subject of sugar beet and
potato culture. This demand has been
met so far as possible by sending
from time members OF the strait who
are especially qualified to give the In.
formation desired. This branch Of
educational work has been most salts
factory, the meeting being well at
tended and the interest high as usual.
A valuable feature Of many Of the
meetings was the demonstration OF
how certain scientific tests relative to
soil might be made by the farmers. In
this connection the teat for acid in soils
by the use of litmus paper may be
mentioned. Results from this work
show that our sour soils are quite prev.
Ialent, and promise good field for In
vestigation.
Last year an attempt was made to
establish q farmers home reading
course, but it was not fully organized
because of press of work in other direc-
tions. At the present time 5000 young
farmers are registered with us, and a
circular containing sixteen pages, en-
titled Farmers Reading Lesson, Tex
ture of Soil and Conservation Of Moist
ure." has been issued with the view of
giving help, direction and definiteness
to the work. Accompanying this Cir
cular is another one of eight pages
which contains twenty seven ques-
tions, the aim being to draw out the
reader and awaken interest. It is be
fieved that the young farmer already
possesses much valuable information
which, If drawn out and supplemented,
would be mutually interesting and
valuable.
It is our plan to arrange course OF
topics having a logical connection and
divided into stages Of advancement.
The study of these topics can be car
ried on at the farmers home with a
review by correspondence, after the
Chautauqua reading course plan. II
neighbors can form circle for dis
cussing the subj ,cts under considera
tion, interest and benefit will be very
much enhanced.
This seems to be true popular educa-
and it seems to be truly popular. Who
can measure the benefits, individual
and public, sure to flow from itG