Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-04-24
HIGHER IDEHLS
ON THE
FgRU
DIVERSITY Of Work !:
and Thought Will ;
Keep the M ia & !
wholesonely Ac. !
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. :
the Master Soiencee
Williams. Chatham. Y. Y

higher ideals in agricultural life
win not injure any one, but will lend
strength to any cause of public in
terest that We may champion" These
concluding words by y. E. Cook In
The Tribune Farmer nearly a year
ago are worthy of study by those
engaged in agricultural pursuits
throughout the length and breadth OF
the land. Nowadays we hear much
of the abandonment of the farm, by
me Younger generation and of how
q keep the boys on the farm. Sure
Nv to attain this object there can
no no surer or better way than through
higher ideals In agricultural life.
Though the first duty of the farme;
Is the care and culture Of his farm,
vet while toiling thus. and all honest
Toll is good, he must diversity his
work. As in study 1t is well to have
variety Of studies at one time to
nreserye the elasticity Of the mind
and prevent centering of thoughts
entirely on one subject, which has
the effect of weakening rather than
strengthening. so the farmer must
bring more variety into his life, nur-
tire the garden of the mind, cult
yate the ideal, bring to his home the
hest journals and books, which are
now within the reach of all. Let
there be less OF the monotonous druid
sery on the farm. Beautify the
home and give some thought to the
science OF agriculture.
II all the readers of The Tribune
Farmer will for a little while give
attention and think what this life
on the farm really means we will see
what higher ideals may be brought
into agricultural life and how the
tfIler OF the soil may be broadened
out into an ardent student OF ma
ture study, for
To the solid ground of nature trusts
the mind that builds for age.
II we pause for a little in the daily
routine of farm work to consider the
broad fields for diversified study pos
sible in agricultural life. we may well
wonder at the desire On the part OF
many to exchange agricultural life
for that of the city. 1t must surely
be from want of knowledge of the
opportunities for advancement and
the realization of higher. ideals OF
the true study of agriculture as the
master science.
The master sciencel That Is per.
haps an ambitious title, but it is one
which may be easily claimed
for Agriculture, as she calls
into her service a greater num-
Der Of sciences than any other Industry
that man can choose-chemistry,
botany, physiology, physics, are some
Of those called into the service Of
Agriculture; nor Is the student linn
tied to strictly scientific lines; he
has also the unbounded field of ma.
ture spreading out before his mind
and eye, new phases of study to in
trest his mind. to awaken that in
ner spirit leading men to desire
higher ideals in life. These things
should not be forgotten In the SEEM
ing isolation OF farm life. Let those
who complain of the lsonotony OF
tam work stop to dihink a httle
q they work, and they will find
there is no monotony in 1t, but that
II Is work full OF interest and variety.
The mere routine of ploughing and
cultivating the soil may seem unin-
terestdng enough, but consider the
purpose Of this work, and 1t at
once becomes deeply interesting-the
preparation of the soil for the recep-
tfon OF the seed and growth of the
plants; the aeration Of the soil so
mat there may be free passage OF
ar for the breathing OF the plant
roots. and supply Of oxygen to main
eain the existence of germs in the
soil creating plant food. Here. too,
chemistry may come in; chemical
analysis can tell what are the con-
sutuents Of the soil, but 1t cannot
lell what the soil may produce; that
Niu depend on its treatment and
'ne action Of the seasons.
FOLLOW this line OF thought through !
me life of the plant, from the tiny
seed deposited in the seed bed on to
me harvested crop. Each week,
eeca month brings variety and
cnanse. All around are natures
workings. giving food for thought.
marx the bursting of the leaf buds
u spring. the fallings leaves In aus
ann. with their ever changing shades
y co'or. caused by the action of the
'un and air on the chemical consti-
vent OF the leaf, carrying in its fall
. earth many elements of fertility
. iced the soil that grows those
pants Of the forest.
again, in that other branch of the
~ners- work, the breeding of live
''ock' ne can have his higher ideals,
after improvement always,
w l could net illustrate the posi-.
'iHies and attractions in this branch
! agriculture better than by quoting
rom the conclusion Of Alvin H. Sand
oook, "Shorthorn Cattle" where
" pays high trihu4a IN tha hraad.
rs art:
me sculptor news from the solid
e images of grace, beauty or
slens'h that provke the plaudits of
.e world. His contact with his
'ork Is direct In calling from the