The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-05-27
Agriculture.
n WERE A YOUNG FARMER.

,s5O young men of North Carolina
axe ND agriculture as their occupa-
son in life. Agriculture is to be a
sinful pursuit to them. They are to
s.rn their livelihood by cultivating the
,,f and feeding the animals of the
farm. The majority have chosen this
vork through desire; some by force of
circumstances. These young men wish
n succeed; we want them to succeed.
But are they prepared for the work 2
rsrhaps some have been well trained
and tutored in agriculture by pains
t,king parents and by careful study of
he work. But we know the majority
s little acquainted with the processes
rd practices dealing with up-to-date
nd modern agriculture.
If I were a young farmer I would
hlly prepare myself for my work. I
vould utilize every opportunity to
Master as near as I could the funda-
rental principles of my business.
I would not let the young men who
re friends of mine go off to college
md study and prepare themselves, for
he ministry, the law or medicine, be
more successful in their work than /
N nine I would prepare myself as
tTy and train myself along the lines
Of work I expect to follow.
III were a young farmer, would
look upon my work as a business need
ing as careful attention and study as
ny other. I would train myself for
lat work. Howl
1. BY READING.
would make it a rule to read care
July, conscientiously and earnestly
fOm two to five agricultural papers.
The value of the agricultural paper to
he young farmer can never be esti-
mated. Then I would study every bull
letin from the experiment station that
would come to my hands. Then 1
Nlld keep in touch with the officers
the experiment station, the editors
the agricultural papers and the Off
as of the State and National Depart
Ents of Agriculture.
would get all of the bulletins bear
hg on my work published by these de-
prtments. They are sent free for the
skiing and will help in a hundred
uys
Then I would build up an agricul-
atal library. / would save and file
way all the bulletins and agricultural
Pgers I have received. Then I would
EE agricultural books, and read and
INDY them. The farmer will find his
htfary as valuable to him as the law
yer or the doctor. 1 would make it my
plan to use the brain in all my farm
operations. The time of farming by
guess has passed. Unskilled labor on
the farm must be eliminated. We
must broaden our thought and com
prehenSion rather than our acres. We
must train ourselves to think as well
Is to work. The fertilization of our
and with brains will do more than
Ne mJudiciOus use of commercial fer
tliIers.
BY EXPERIMENTING ON THE FARM
Il l were a young farmer I would
laAe a study of my farm; I would eX-
Fhment with my soil and endeavor to
@Ve some Of the many problems deal
~s with my particular work. I would
@leavor to master my business in
sad Of allowing my business to mas
ame.
III BY FARMERS CLUBS
How many of us have ever tried to
a1der the immense value to the
,'iLner in organization and mutual
csp: ] would take part in the Al
-enee MEETINGS or organize a farm
Club where my neighbOrs and my
~ coull talk over our work and
'oE O.. h others experience. The
5asare. Inc good, the inspiration that
'Do"s ~rch work can not be expressed
vorl,.
II Make HOME ATTRACTIVE.
" were a young farmer just be-
'~nln- arm work for myself, would
'p'''' 'he time in every way l could.
'eo.a paint the house, repair all
I'n"es about the house and barns,
''5 Hp the roads about my farm
-'e"a~h the fences, beautify the
'AS and make the home as attractive
y beautiful as possible. I would