Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-13
RIGHT VIEW or NEW AGRICULTURE.

RIGHT VIEW or NEW AGRICULTURE
would not represent agriculture as
nobler, more independent, more honora-
BILE or more healthful than any other vo-
cation, but xs the equal, the foundation
and precursor Of every vocation, rs the
basis OF all wealth, prosperity and
luxury; as agriculture prospers 90
prospers nation.
Many reasons have been assigned for
the depression Of the last few years; the
politician Of the one party tells US it was
the "crime of '73;r Of the other that II
has been the lack Of q high protective
tariff. Be this AS Ii may, Legislative en-
sctments have materially affected sxri-
culture. But the cause of this depressed
condition may be traced to deeper
source than legislative enaetments. This
depression has not come upon the Ameri-
can farmer suddenly and without warn
ing. True, laws have passed which
hastened or hlndered IL as they were
detrimental or beneficial TO the farmer
But it Is more largely due TO the inability
Of the farmer TO meet ever increasing
competition In the sale OF his products
The markets for agricultural products,
with better facilities for transportation,
have gradually widened, until to-day
they are the markets OF the world.
Take wheat, for example; the In
formation upon which 10 buy Is cslculst-
ed, not from the conditions OF the crop
In the United States, but upon telegrsphic
news OF the condition of the crop Ia Ar
gentine Republic, Russia and India.
What Is the effect OF this; The American
farmer is compelled 10 compete with
cheap labor on cheap soil, carried on
with the latest improved machinery.
As a consequence he Is often compelled
20 sell his products for less than the
cost OF production.
The American farmer has been slow In
adapting himself TO these conditions
be has not realized that he must stop
producing the crop 10 which his land
and market are not peculiarly adapted.
He cannot 90 on blind 10 the wants OF
trade and surrounding conditions, and
expect 10 reap success.
DO you say that II this is the condition
Of agriculture, it has few inducements
for an ambitious young mang Ii Is not
so; the greatest need of agriculture to-
day, Is TO have energetic young men,
properly trained, return 10 the farms
and help solve these problems. Our ex-
pertinent stations are doing much In this
line, but they cannot meet the peculiar
exigencies of every locality. This can
be done only by sending into every To-
cality men trained for the work.
The immense progress that has been
made in agriculture requires that the
Young man, who chooses IL for his voca-
ton. shall have = different education
from what he would have needed half \
century ago. To-day il requires that he
shall have a trained mind rs well as
trained body; that he b. naturally sispt-
ed 10 his work; that he have bros in-
tellect, business ability and untirir in-
dustry. lie must be a student Of his
work. be must keep apsce with the
times; he can no longer live an isolated
life, but he must come forth and ostle
with the world. The standard OF In
tellectuslity Of the farmer must be
raised. and the plowshsre OF tho ught
must tear loose the roots OF Ignorance.
A mans vocation is what he makes u ;
IL j. not the work that honors the
man, but the msn that honors the work.
RI ms mber, that the preservation OF
democratic Institutions depends upon
the sducstiou and advancement OF the
laooriuy classes, and that unless the idea
that labor is degrading can be cradle ,ted,
our free government is in danger. III
We can establish the idea that the iiler
of the soil Is natures true nooleman, the
I,ermaueuey Of our free institution Is Is
fixed.--New England Farmer.