Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-11-11

tPAper By Mrs. MARI n. Ruv,,,,
meeting o. Hancock Pomona 1 resa at the
Nsh'ury grange. Dedham, Oct al with
There has never been Z time rha.
money was expended and such g.. much
made to assist the farmer as =, enoft
States are contributing to the s,n p'esent
pertinent stations, farmers insti,,,.1 VI ex-
cultural aud horticultural soc,a,,e. asri-
unit. ana the United States supports ~
prenensise agricultural department
Appropfiates vast sums Of money 70, n. .1'
port OF colleges and experiment Sup. sup
Agricuitnrai papers and bulletins AZ ,s
freely. and other helps to intelligent .saea
are many; and To crown all. n speci,, A'ng
mens has been set on foot by Presiden, y 'sNe-
welt 70 learn. u possible. other ways 10
the condition Of the American fsrrs. oe''er
whom 50 much depends, for he IL IL ~. apon
vides the nations food. pro-
Inc development Of agriculture j. u
United States during the last hal, wy
has been almost beyond the appreciates.
OF those who have kept informed unon wv.
rent events. Since 1850 the number 4, a..
10 the country has increased from - 40
o.ooo; the cultivated land from sso ~ 4. ~
al .oco,o 900 acres, and the total valao \,
farm property from tI,ooo,oao 600 10 =, ~ ~
10000. During the same period other ina,.-
tries have increased in the same prop,,tio.
but their increase has, in the main. been -.
result. rather than the cause. Of the devs,o.
ment in agriculture.
Surely all this tends to bright out,,a.
the farmer. He lives in the pure atrnosnh...
Of the country, and yet has many priv,,sr..
Of the city. Electric cars take him ana ~.
family 70 town, rural carriers bring h;.a.N.
paper and other mail, and the telephons a.
initiates distance between his home and N.
market and other points he wishes tn ,s,., /,
Machinery Of all kinds facilitates hi, IAN,
commercial fertilizers are at hand To r,...
every need OF the soil, but the greatest nsaa B
OF the farmer OF to-day Is enthusiasm in NJ, .
vocation and disposition 70 seek ON. ana
pat into practice progressive ideas.
When we find successful farmer vac w;,
find these things true OF him, while the m.
successful one Is apt to be Indifferent a.
behind time ia methods. The old-tiue Ara
eis were successful In their day because they
depended on their own efforts. They as., li,,,s
or no help from colleges, institutes. bulletia,
o. instruction In any way, exeep. in the hard
Geld Of experience, ana the essen from the
past to the farmer Of to-day should be greater
appreciation Of the pfeseut-liy helps and
greater efforts To re; the most from them.
The possibilities for success were peyer
greater than to-day. partly owing TO the aseu-.
eies mentioned. but the desire among ttrmsrs
10 make the most of their opportunities Is no,
SO noticeable as Que or two generations ago.
This Is not true Of all farmers. but applies to
I farmers class. After Gll tbs, can he
done by the various ageneies--and they are
doing great things--the success or failure Of
the individual farmer will depend on hisowu
efforts and the way in which be utilities the
assistance that individuals the state and the
nation provide TO- HIM.
There seems TO be something In the oeeupa-
tion OF the farmer that tends to influence hin
to shift responsibility on TO the shoulder. Of
some other person or to chance circumstances
instead Of his own Incompetence. This is due
10 the fact that many uncertain elements be-
You'd his control enter into the production Of
crops. These are mainly the mistoltures
which make the shady side OF farm life and
I come through unfavorabie weather. drogghts.
foods, and insect ravages, but even these may
be overcome by persistent effort and study
along agricultural lines
There are acquired abilities within the
reach OF every young farmer which VIII
count for more in bringing success than
much greater natural abilities without this
development. The farmer who has made
such n speciality Of the study Of his farm and
economic methods that he has improved the
| soil and farm stock and become so familiar
with public matters affecting rural sections
rs to lead professional men in discussion Of
| such topics. and when sent 10 the Legislature
| has taken front rank of Legislators in matters
| affecting the agricultural interests OF tae
| State, ID . successful one, whether he has
/ bank Accouu Mt or not, and would be more re
Quentiy found IL close application and sell
| dependence more generally prevailed.