The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-01-21
ProGress in Farming.


gressive and are also beginning to
work on more scientific lines. At
many of the experiment stations the
sons of farmers are taking special
courses in agriculture, with the result
that they become largely instrumental
in improving farm methods in their
communities when they return to their
homes. The period has passed for eX-
pressiOns of contempt for the theoreti-
cal farmer, rs theory and practice
have demonstrated by actual tests that
no advance can be made by practical
effort alone. The theoretical farmer
may have been lacking in skill when
handling the plow or in the use of
other implements. and his theories
may also have failed. but he aimed
for something better and became an
educator Of others The most progress
siye agriculturists are those who are
not satisfied with present methods.
They are willing 10 experiment. to
learn and to teach, and they bring into
the community better breeds, improved
fruits and superior varieties of
grasses, grains and vegetables. Some
of them have gone into bankruptcy
because of unwise expenditure In their
efforts to do more than others, but
they left their neighbors better off
and also better supplied with live
stock and more fertile farms.
No farmer can progress unless he is
willing to study and learn. In all oc-
equations theory is a mighty factor.
for education is considered essential
TO success. The farmer OF to-day who
maintains that only practical farming
is worthy of his consideration, and
who believes that his sons can learn
all that is necessary about farming
on the farm Itself, daily witnesses the
sons of those outside Of farming deriv-
ing knowledge at institutes in which
instruction in mechanics is impaired.
The best engineers, machnists and
wood workers cndeavor to enter their
sons in schools or colleges at which
they can be taught all that is possible
from n theoretical standpoint The
farmer has kept himself back by his
opposition TO theoretical farming. the
"book farmer" being, to him, one ut
terly destitute OF knowing anything
except to expend his money foolishly
i'm the effort to accomplish an impOssi-
bilty. The farmer, however, is close
observer of operations. for, while he
will not become q pioneer and gives no
encouragement TO those working out
side of practical lines. ne quickly Sc
cures the benefits derived through the
efforts Of the eXperimenter. or course
all farmers are not alike for many Of
them are progressive. but many prefer
to- wait for developments. and when
they become convinced that q change
i'm their methods of farming is neces-
sary will accept the inevitable and en-
deavor to improve
The class known MS "breeders' has
made many sacrifices i'm the effort to-
improve the breeds of live stock. the
greatest obstacle TO progress being the
Indifference of farmers hut tine
breeders went on with their work.
every year Witnessing 8u advance iu
the improvement OF horses. cattle,
shce1 and swine Records were made
AMI live stock went mp Zoe prices.
Whore before au animal was sold at
only nominal sum prices rose ten or
I n IIniIIIN lOIN. w IIIII IiIf TURNER
/ were obliyious to- zinc work of the
breeders the laicr class was making
rapid Roadway To-day hundreds of
farmers are breeders. and their farms
are operated ON Che most scientific
methods known The result ol The
| combination of practice and theory
/ has increased the value of live stock iu
| the United States to- thousands where
/ formerly the figures were given in hun
/ dreds. while the increase iu the yields
| CT crops has been very marked What
| is more important. however. is that tho
| fertility OF ,he farms is now much
! greater than before Abandoned
| farms are fewer. worn out" soils are
brought again under cultivation q
/ larger aud more selected variety of
/ fruits has been introduced and thC
general condition of the farmer has
/ been greatly improved
Much or Che advance made by th,
| farming class is due TO- the heretofore
| dcspise1 theoretical farmer. who ha.
. always led Che way. even n years wer,
required after his dcceaso to demon
/ auatc that he was right. though dur
iue his HWo unsuccessful ana uulor
/ tuuatc Philadelphia Record