Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-26

have in other pursuits. Where is there
problem Of greater interest to the farmer.
or promising greater financial reward,
than that of retaining our barren west
ern lands? Yet Investigation will show
that the conception of this work was pro-
vided by professional engineers appointed
by the United States government and not
farm-b red-who know little or nothing OF
farming and have necessarily. small appre-
citation of the results their ingenuity Will
eventually bring to the farming industry.
1.-THE abandoned dumps of the low-grade
ores about the mines of the west are being
converted into new fortunes through new
processes and methods of refinement de-
vised by young men OF high education
A farmers san of the east who took up
railway engineering discovered that by
the placing their: old seventy two-pound
IT. rails with ninety-five-pound rails. one
of the eastern roads would save 100000
per year in maintaining the roadbed and
the rolling stock. besides saving of
wear and tear on the motive power be-
cause Of firmer roadbed. In the machine
shop and manufacturing establishments Of
this country there are many farmers sons
working out similar problems. bringing
vast annual savings to their employers,
in which they, to general extent, partici-
pate: thus is the capital of the manufac-
turing and industrial operator made more
and more powerful and effective
when a manufacturer wishes to en-
large his plant or build new one he
1t. in the light OF their practical expert
ence in the problems involved; but when a
farmer concludes to build a new cattle or
horse barn. he goes to the nearest village.
hires carpenter, makes the best bargain
he can with lumber yard. and the barn
is built. almost wholly with reference to the
past and with very little regard to the
introduction of new or improved methods.
THE capital engaged in agriculture is
approximately three times that engaged
nfJ x.nt pn Of
profits on the capital of manufacturing
is approximately 33 per cent greater than
upon that of agriculture, Notwithstanding
the fact that the wages paid in manufac-
turing annually approximate $3,50o.000 on.
while the wages paid in agriculture ap-
proximate only $500, 900. 600, or about one
eighth. as much. This goes to show the
wasteful application of labor on farms.
due to a total lack of understanding of
the real problems by the owners. 1t also
manufacturing by the sons of farmers who
have been permitted to leave the farms
after they have come under wise and
economical instruction and have finally
become skiliful each in his chosen line OF
work.
1.-THE crying need today Is for like ac-
lcomplishments in agriculture. and. indeed,
1t must come If farming Is to keep pace
with development in other lines of indus
try. How much longer will 1t take the
land owners to see and realize this? There
is no more inviting field for genius Or am
bition than is offered in farming, but we
can never expect to retain the briniest
young men upon the farms until they
are given the same opportunities for re-
ward which await their efforts in other
pursuits Not until the farmers of the
country awaken to the real cause Of their
lethargy, and are willing to change their
methods to meet the advancement OF SCI
ence; not until they are willing to edu-
cate their sons to the practice of the most
approved methods, and to inspire them TO
go further into research and personal up
building intellectually, shall there be the
right kind of agricultural advancement,
and the right sort of inducement for the
young man to remain on the farm.
1.-The farm is but another form of work
shop but farming will never reach the
profitable basis upon which other kinds
of manufacturing stand until it is brought
under like degree OF intelligence, accur-
acy and business methods.
The manufacturer depends upon his
own employees through large offers of re-
ward to plan and devise improvements In
machinery and other methods. and to ap-
ply forthwith those which shall help to
bring economy in the large sense, and
to swell the profits more and more each
year The farmer meanwhile curses Fate.
damns the trusts and waits until some
knight of the gripsack come along in an
automobile with a new kind of "side de-
| livery backache remedy to sell.
Our agricultural cOneges. 'sald Mr. r OK
| in conclusion, "have a great work before
them which shall proceed beyond their
most sanguine expectations II the farm
! ers themselves will give the proper sup
port by sending their sons. not alone to
| the short course. but to the complete long
| course Some shrewd financiers have al
! ready observed these farm conditions. and
| have begun to realize the possibilities OF
profits in purchasing old farms at low
rates. and of applying business methods
to their Improvement and operation. They