The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-02-02
COMMUNICATION.

p
thought the solvent of her problem" is :
maxim that applies to agricultut al as much
or more than it does to any arts or scien
ces. Agriculture really has made little
progress since the time Of Cicero and Phi
ny, as it was then practiced by the ancient
Romans, although agricultural machine
ry has made marvellous and rapid pro
gress during the last half century. Bu
as the manufacture of farm machinery
belongs more to mechanical science than
agricultural science. it is evident that
farmers are not as deep thinkers as the
mechanic and artisan.
Various attempts have been made in
the past to form associations and meet
in IS for farmers, whereby their thoughts
and ideas might be concentrated and ex-
changed, and used towards agricultural
progress. For time each of these
schemes would appear to an ordinary OBJ
server, all that was to be desired, but af-
ter short period their usefulness would
be lost and the purpose sought after not
found. Among the great list of such as
sociatlons of late years may be mention
ed the Changers, the Patrons of Industry,
the Farmers Alliance, and the num-
erous agricultural exhibitions.
While the exhibitions answer good
purpose, in giving the farmer chance
to exhibit his produce in friendly con-
test, they are really more of a place of
amusement than earnest thought. The
alliances which were so popular a few
years ago, were in their early days club
or school, where the farmers would meet
and exchange ideas, and discuss their &C.
equations. At first their results were
most gratifying. But as these discus
sions made orators, and these orators
had strong political aspirations, their zeal
for the welfare of the state and federal
governments, our banking systems, f.
nance, etc, overbalanced their zeal for
the more humble occupation of agricul-
ture. AS the associations had no govern
ing head, outside OF themselves, political
discussions arose and they soon collaps-
ed with no permanent result to the farm
ers' welfare. The fate of the Grangers,
Patrons, and all similar bodies seems,
unfortunately, to be of the same nature.
Consequently the state governments of
mostly all the states of the Union, and
the several provinces of the Dominion of
Canada, and many progressive countries
of other nations, have adopted system
of meetings, known in the United States
and Canada as Farmers Institutes.
These institutes are generally under the
control and management of the agricul-
tural colleges, which are always state in.
situations, and one or more professors
are always present at meeting, to act
as instructors and directors. As many
farmers as possible are requested to be
present. If any farmer is interested in
any particular branch Of farming, it is de-
sired that he shall have his idea'sexpress-
ed i'll concise form in writing, to be
read and opened for discussion under SUI
pervision Of the college professors, who
are really acting as teachers. Farmers
thoughts and ideas are thus brought out
and exchanged, and but few can attend
one of these Institutes without obtaining
some useful knowledge in farming, either
from his broth, farmer or these profess
sors.
These institutes have been in practice
for over quarter of a century in some
states and provinces, and their usefulness
and the interest taken in them by pro-
gressive farmers, seems to be on the in
crease.
AS far as we are concerned in North
Dakota, they have been held from time
to time during the last four years, under
the auspices of our agricultural college,
the places where the meetings are held
furnishing all necessary expenses, etc.
Beginning with July LIST, 1899, there has
been small amount of funds from the
state given for such purposes. The OBJ
ject of such meetings is in few words:
" AutHhoh isu ulCiS SuSu ~ dStCdl lIllOIIlld.
ton and instruction as can be given them
in one, two or three days. The agricul-
tural college will not do the present
generation of farmers very much good as
far as they are concerned themselves.
1t is in educating their sons and daugh-
tiers along those lines when the farmers
will realize the benefits and advantages
of our agricultural college. The expert
mental station aids the farmer in his work
by experiments conducted by the college
professors, and these institutes help to
disseminate the knowledge obtained by
the investigations of the station.
In conclusion shall say that our agri-
cultural college will hold one of these in
stitutes at Hamilton, on the 9th and 10Th
of February, and will have in attendance
President Worst. and Professors Kauf-
man, Waldron and Sheppard, of the, col
lege, and we are making arrangements