River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-04-06

mercial standpoint. There is more
bread and butter for the dweller On
the farm From 1880 to 1900 the values
of the farm property of the United
States increased from S12, 900, 600, 900 TO
nearly $21 900. 000,00 almost as large
an absolute increase as during the
first 100 years of the nations history.
Ten million people engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits, over one-third Of ell
persons engaged in gainful occupa-
tions brought about this tremendous
increase. Ten millions of people-and
science the modern farm hand.
Live stock enters largely into the
inventory of farm property Fifteen
per cent of the wealth of the farmer
is in domestic animals of all grades
Science early undertook to make the
growing of live stock more profitable
Disease attacked the animals. Study
of diseases brought information as To
their cure. The next step was to find
prevention or cure. The Texas fever
is an example. The great cattle range
is in the southwestern section of the
and mild winters make profitable the
growing of cattle on open prairie. The
Texas fever destroyed thousands Of
cattle. a scientist in laboratory and
experimental pen undertook an inves-
tigation of the destructive disease.
After years of patient study he dis
covered the cause of the infection
xrrhin ~ I1o
afterward discovered a mode of in
oculation that rendered immune all
cattle thus treated. The outcome of
the scientists work has been the prac-
tical elimination of Texas fever from
the southwest. Foreign animals are
immune where formerly 80 per cent.
died. 1t is a liberal estimate to say
that the expense of the investigation
which had. this result did not exceed
$25,000 and it is a conservative esti
mate to say that as many millions of
dollars have been added to the ma
TONS wealth thereby The feeding Of
cattle to produce the best market price
has been the subject of scientific study.
1t has been found that certain fools
at certain ages in the most profitable
mixed and balanced rations should
take the place in the feed lot of the
uncertain feeds Of former years. The
transportation problem affects the
market price of cattle. New methods
of reaching the markets, by improved
cars, which are humane as well as
profitable, have taken the place of the
old and barbarous ones. The railroads
have better accommodation for ship
pers, more cars and better prices for
the shipment. Science has become q
farm hand in the cattle pen.
In agronomy, which means the con-
sideration of the soils, science has
become interested. The farm hand
formerly went out with spade or hoe
or pillow, stirred the soil, planted tho
seed and then some time later cult
waited the growing grain. He knew
little or nothing regarding the elements
of the SOIL the character of the seed.
the chemical changes which brought
about termination. He was only the
man with the hoe. Investigation
pointed out that certain soils grew
hest certain crops, that where par
ticular element was lacking in the soil
it might be supplied and the use of
fertilizers became general. Investiga-
ton and experiment showed that Sc
lection of seed was necessary for the
best results and that sowing and cul
tivation could be improved. Machinery
saved labor and the Investigations and
experiments from college and station
gave greater outcome to the labor that
was performed. Science became a
farm hand in the fields.
Science has justified its employment
cs farm hand. The production Of