The Washington herald., 1907-08-30

Ever since railway enterprise, with long
lines of steel, threaded a network across
the country. knitting the East TO the
West and giving each State and Territory
markets for farm products, the United
States has been a great producer Of crops.
Despite this fact it is only within the very
recent years that the average farmer has
learned the rudiments OF scientific agri-
culture. Hitherto he had not been taught
in any other school than that of his own
limited experience. he had followed Tor
years the same burrows his fathers before
him had plowed. and poor crops and worn
out land were the result. Wise men or
the national and state governments came
70 his rescue, and by agricultural schools,
Illustrated lectures. and work at convent
e1t experiment stations. gave him new
ideas, new ambitions and better training
The government is spending large sums
OF money and is employing the best scien-
lists In an effort to raise farming to the
dignity Of a leading profession Without
exception. the various commonwealths are
following fast on its heels with a success
commensurate with their interest and out
lay. The aim OF these is 10 teach every
agricuIturist how TO get the largest re-
turns from his land with the least expen-
6iture Of money and labor and with the
least injury TO the soil In Colonial days.
when limitless acres were to be had foI
the clearing. great plantations were de-
voted 10 cotton, corn, wheat. or tobacco.
rotation in crops was disregarded. and, as
the years passed, the life was soon
farmed out, leaving thousands Of acres Of
land In the older States 70 be abandoned
or rendered worthless because of the ig-
norance and thriftlessness of the owners.
The farmer is being taught not only
how 10 avoid the mistakes OF his fore
fathers, but to adopt many new ideas
besides. New varieties Of crops are Of
fered him, and experiment stations are
ready to demonstrate 10 him the way to
plant and cultivate these to the best ad-
vantage. He is taught that some things
are more adaptable than others to his
section Of the country and that because
he has always used this or that method,
or this or that variety of plant, there is
no reason why he should continue 10 DO
20 when there are better ways and better
materials.
One Of the most important branches
Of the Department of Agriculture is that
which has established a system OF ex-
pertinent stations and conducts In each
practical field work in scientific agricul-
ture. Congress has recognized this move
ment for more advanced education for
the farmer. and it IS not now difficult TO
secure appropriations for the various
privileges. educational institutions, and
literature that will give him practical
information. The experiment stations eX-
tend into every State and territory of
the Union, and the work is done by the
most capable experts in the various
branches of agriculture. Farmers are en-
COuraged to come and see. to ask, and
70 initiate. Through these the farmer
may be aroused to take interest in the
teaching Of agriculture in the common
schools and and become eager 10 have
his children learn what he has missed.
and so IN a decade produced a revOlu-
ton in existing agriculture methods.
In Alaska, in Hawaii. in Porto Rico. as
well as in the States" the experiment
stations are constantly at work TO intro
duce new varieties Of agricultural and
horticultural products. and to simplify
problems Of production. The Sitka sta
ton is just now working out the problem
Of how it can provide Alaskans with plen-
L. Of apples, cherries, plums. raspberries.
~
people of the States in the temperate
zone enjoy. About thirty Of the hardest
varieties OF apples are being tried there
with good results, the less hardy domes-
tic apple being grated upon the native
Alaskan crab. Hybridizing the wild
strawberry with the cultivated sort, and
dOmesticating the cWTants and straw
berries which grow wild, form a part of
the novel experiment work. while all
sorts Of vegetables, grains. and grass that
are believed to have a chance in that sec
ton. are given a trial Kentucky CIue-
grass will grow in the vicinity Of the
Kenai station. where efforts are being
made to get a good pasturage for the
cattle which the government has taken
there
The Hawaii station is busy dlversifying
agriculture in the islands. During the
past year seven varieties Of cotton were
grown in that Territory, and one Of them.
sea island cotton, proved qui;e success
full Many new varieties Of fruit have
been tried there by the government with
good results and on the island OF Maui
a promising experimental rubber planta-
tion is realizing hope Of its promoters.
The motor-car industry has caused a rap
Id rise in rubber, so attention has neces-
sdTlly been turned to its home produc-
tion. The experiments on the Maui plan
tatlOns include a trial of the various va
rieties Of rubber the use OF fertilizer. and
methods Of tapping the trees and the
preparation OF rubber. Ii is believed that
ItaVal will prove an excellent locality
Tor the raising Of rubber, and in 1909 fully
lUoVVJ trees viii be yielding a profit For
the benefit Of the Hawaiian rancbrnen
forage plants from New Mexico Ans
tralla, and France have been introduced
and profitable industry in the KanaL,a
homes will soon be found in Silk cult,,rs
SILK worms having been brought fror,
China for their use. Bees from ItaIv and
other countries have been brought int
Hawaii and top feeding minnows" bava
been put to work eating mosouito 1ar,,os
in the fish ponds and rice fields. IN n,.l,s
life more comfortable for the Hawaiian
farmer
In Porto Rico, the experiment. station
aside from studying sugar and tobacco
has great collection OF tropical fruits
under observation. These include 100 va