The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-10-08
FARMERS SHOULD READ MORE

In nv Ion.r experience as n farmer and
as an Instructor I'm agricultural work no
fact has more impressed me than the
great difficulty IN reaching the farmers
with really Instructive and practical IN
formation I'm regard TO their business.
During an experience Of twelve wears as
editor IF Tho Southern Cultivator and OF
the Farm and Farmers department OF
She Weekly Constitution ! have been
forced TO the conclusion that large
proportion OF the farmers do not habitua-
T. and closely read the columns that are
-srepared for their edification and benefit
This conclusion Is based on the obserVa-
don that 50 many questions are asked
that have but recently been answered.
These questions are asked and answered
over and over again and each inquirer
As \ rule. seems to conceive the idea that
no Is the first to ask for the Information.
Now I do not make these remarks In the
way 81 a complaint that my time ana
uatier.ce IS taxed. BY no means. | am
much more. afraid of taxing the patience
of close and careful readers who never
let anything Of actual or possible value
escape them. No. have long ago learned
that II is only by Zine upon line ana
precept upon precept' that the masses of
farmers can be reached and impressed. 1t
Is nv duty and my pleasure to respond
as often rs called upon. whether II be to
an anxious Inquiry for the best means OF
taking a wart of a mule or a method TO
prevent n cow sucking herself. or whether
this year Of our Lord Is the last OF the
nineteenth or the first Of the twentieth
century. These things do not trouble me
personally. although / am grateful for
the sympathy often rendered me by APP
rreciative and close readers who imagine
that my patience Is severely tested.
r.tr~,s.,ea -. uof Il formulate 4 COM
pIaint or 20 Give an exhibition of i'm
patIsncc-neither sitting on a monu-
mont = nor at my desk. but 10 preface an
sxho~tatlon to the farmer readers of The
Constitution TO read and study more. do
not mean 20 merely insist that they read
this department more carefully. Ihat /
do. hut not that alone. for that would ne
uroof - vanity and egotism that ! am
su~.. I do not betrav. But i want - urge
again upon farmers 10 get books anu
journals that are written and published
for their especial benefit. l very wei
know that there are many farmers VINO
are p-efudiced against what they are
pleased 10 call book farming" and insist
tnat the information about farming 10 ne
fo,,nd I'm books and agricultural journals
Is totally unreliable. theoretical. iancl-
fuI etc. Well. 1 am not addressing such
fogles as they. because-N consistent
they do not read agricultural Jun 4ttAA'
ara hooks. They constitute class that
writers Of books and agricultural jour
mails cannot get at" because they do not
read 49,. 20
sha class who sincerely believe that there
Is good 10 be found in cold type'-in
hooks and iournals-and Yet who haven't
an AGRICULTURAL book in their houses, nor
ia they take a single agricultural journal
.xcept The Weekly Constitution. Now
am not such an eeotlst as 10 claim that
The weekly Constitution IS the best asri-
cultural journal IN the world. or
mar a farmer who reads II does not
nod 10 take any other journal. or buy
and study agricultural books. So Tar
FROM making amy such foolish and false
rl4in I frankly aver that If I could ac-
eorn1lfeh no further result IN the
course 81 years Of editorial effort than
Z. induce the farmers who take The
Weekly Constitution 10 subscribe for and
read the various journals and books de-
voted To srecial lines Of agriculture, l
would he supremacy satisfied. I repeat;
II. IN lifetime Of effort. / should i'm
mart ua practical information whatever
.r8 should succeed I'm doing nothing
more than persuading every farmer 20
subscribe Tor two or more up-to-date
Journals and in buying a few books IN
agriculture. I would be content. ] would
be willing Ia have thai achievement TO b.