Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-04-22
A Nod ifa asr.

ed practical farmer, who seems 70
have called halt on scientific agri-
cultural exploitation The farmer in
question is Fred c. Burns. w-o re-
sides just outside of Martinsburg.
Mr.. Burns, IS years ago, came into
possession OF WORKOUT farm of 20
acres, which then had three cows and
a horse on it. for which they had to
be bought. Now Mr.. Burns keeps two
horses and IS head of cows and young
cattle, and is making large income
from the products OF the IS acres.
The Department of Agriculture
learned last year the success Of Mr..
Barns, and sent an expert to study
his methods.
For couple of days the expert, who
was a splendid farmer in a practical,
as well as d scientific sense, followed
the West Virginia farmer over every
nch OF the 20 acres, asking every pos
lsible question as to methods and re-
suits.
A stenogTapher came along in the
rear taking down questions and an
sw.rs.
It was discovered that Mr. Burns
had succeeded in introducing what IS
known among those who are read
up" on farm matters as 'solling. He
had stumbled on an old book, by 10
siah Quincy, on the practice of cut
ting green forage and feeding it to
cows kept in a cool, clean, hy-free
Stable, where they could have moth
lug to do but chew the cud content
inent and profit, and make all the
milk possible to be made from the
tons OF green stuff hauled to their
mangerS.
Mr.. Burns with only man and
boy had found how to plant and SOW
the succession of crops suitable for
the process and by hauling out the
manure every day and spreading it
on the few acres had made the soil ex-
tr.mely rich and productive.
He had built large si.os after the
modern way of preserving forage in a
succulent state all the winter, and he
had cut off all the losses and made
everything count for profit.
The department at once recognized
that model farmer had been found
and proposed to issue bulletin tell
ing of his methods and their success
1t was estimated that Mr.. Burns prac.
teal example would stimulate farm
ing all over the country to adopt bet
ter methods and improve their farms
aad Increase their crops, whereby
many millions would be added to the
yearly output If crops and total value
of farms throughout the United
States.
Preparations were made to estab-
lish the bulletin in large editions aud
the Government would in a short
tiruc have made the West Virginia
farmer one of the most famous agii~
culturists of the age.
At this stage however, the plans
of the department met with an uneH-
pected obstacle. Mr. Burns, hearing of
the matter, objected to having his
farm made the mecca OF inquiring
brother asriculturists with all their
reary hours Of questions. He told the
secretary OF agriculture that lie
would be burden to him if the bull
letiu was printed ard said he would
want to tepaid SIS, 900 year for al
lowing the department to write up
himself and his farm, SO that the
thousands OF farmers ALI over the
country, anxious to make money
would be tumbling in on him from
day to day the year around.
Some OF the department scientists
have recommended that his terms he
com APPLIED with, because the know
ledge of what he is doing would be
worth, as one expert had estimated ii
$50, ooo. 900 a year to the dairy in
rests of the country, The secretary
las the matter under consideration. 1t
is understood that Mr. Burns would
be expected to allow his farm to be
come a model farm, where other farm
ers could go and see how he does
things. and he would be able 70 make
lust as much as he does now, and re-
ceive the SIS, 900 a year for having
had the brains aud sense to work ont
a problem that millions OF the best
farmers OF the country had in mind,
but had not overcome -Hage