The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-12-03

~ "a -'
Builder Up OF the Nation.
The farmer has always been the state
builder. the pioneer. He II is who has
built up and made the nation what II is.
and the general government can discharge
the obligation 1t owes the great agricuI
tural interests nj no better way than In
spending money freely In bettering agri-
cultural conditions
France. with her abounding prosperity,
her marvellous wealth OF agricultural re-
sources. which have made her the cred
itor nation OF the world maintains 5000
rural schools with agricultural depart
ments in the shape OF gardens and small
FIELDS where systematic scientific cultlva-
tlon and conservation OF the soil Is
taught
Since 1878 Belgium has required every
school IN the kingdom to maintain a field
not less than thirty.nine and a half
square rods for the purpose OF instructing
The pupils in this most important work.
Here Is where this work OF education
should begin. and instruction of this char
acter undertaken BY our rural schools,
where the farmer boys and girls attend
would be speedily and powerfully reflected
in improved methods on the farms.
The increased value OF corn. wheat. oats
and barley in the United States provided
the average yield per acre of the same
crops In Germany had been raised. and
assuming d production Of fifty bushels OF
corn to the acre, would have amounted
TO the stupendous total during the year
1907 OF S. 10000 900, while the increased
value OF the same cereals of the crop Of
1909. computed on the same basis, would
have been 50. 25o0Oo,ooo.
None Superior In Soil or Climate.
There is no soil or climate that is nat
urally superior to that OF the United
States. and no nation on earth can pro-
duce a larger crop per acre than this
country II our soil is intelligently titled.
In April OF this year the New York
Central railroad rendered to the New
York state College of Agriculture the use
of a special train consisting of a combi-
nation car. four coaches and dining
car. for a trip through that portion OF the
state traversed by our lines. Twenty-one
professors and advanced students OF the
New York State College of Agriculture
at Cornell university and the agricultural
school at ST. Lawrence university made
up the party. Thirty-one towns were Wis
ited and lectures were given TO audi
ences ranging from 200 to GOO earnest in
terested farmers.
The object OF the trip was to awaken
interest. to prepare the ground for the
seed TO be sown later. These trips will
IeDedJeQ
is but the beginning of broad and COM
prehensive scheme of education. Lee
lures of this kind arc beneficial, but the
things that will accomplish results are
object Iessons--opportunities for the farm
er to see the thing done instead OF being
told how II can be done.
The first requisite IS a thorough awak-
ening of our people to a realization OF
the startling Significance. the overshadow-
ing Importance of this condition. then a
systematic. thorough. sleepless. persever-
ing campaign of education. The general
government should give it first place
among the questions pressing for consid-
GRAFTON.
The railroads should cooperate with the
state agricultural colleges and with all in
stitutions having departments Of agrcul-
ture in arranging for meetings Of farm
ers in villages and country school houses
for the purpose of preaching this great
gospel OF better methods. which means
more profitable farming. 1 am going to
recommend to the owners of the roads
with which am connected the purchase
Of land to be operated as experimental
farms. according 10 the most advanced
methods OF seed selection. fertilization and
cultivation. at the expense of the road.
but under the auspices Of the agricultural
college of the state in which the farm is
located. II this recommendation is adopt
ed shall hope to see it followed by d
majority of the roads Of the country.
What the ccst Of a Warship Would Do.
The United States Is building two or
three great battleships almost every year.
which cost. fully equipped. perhaps an
average OF $a.000,oOO each. and it costs
close to 81. 900 year each 70 man. sup
ply and maintain them. What one of
these fighting machines costs the govern
ment would establish and fully equip two
splendid experimental farms Of $40 acres
each In every state in the Union. to be
operated by the general government
The establishment of such farms by the
government would soon be followed by
l60 acre farms owned and operated by the
state in every county In our great agricul-
tural states. Such farms. once estab-
lshed. would not only be self sustaining.
but, In my opinion would show hand
some profit The effect of such sys-
tenn OF practical education upon the prod
uct and profit OF the nations farms would
be almost beyond comprehension.
Every thriftless and uninformed farm
er would quickly note the difference be-
tween the result OF his loose methods and
those Of the experimental farm and bene-
fit by the comparison.
Let the government invest the price OF
one battleship In this important work,
lOiOW the investment up 1nIelllgentiy ana
perseveringly for ten years. and the value
that will have been added to each years
crops OF the nationty farms will buy and
pay for every battleship in all the navies
OF the world today.
Adopt this policy and 1t will give to the
great business OF agriculture a new birth
OF marvellous possibilities and make tile
cultivation Of the soil profession rather
than vocation 1t win double the wealth
of the nations farms and quadruple the
influence, political and financial. OF the
nations farmers.
Ten wears after such a system becomes
fully effective the farmers will own a
large share. If not n majority. Of the na-
lions railroads and this will insure In
larger measure than is possible under
present conditions that industrial peace
and tranquility to vital to enduring pros
perity.
Above and beyond all other considera-
tior.s tllis stimulation of interest in and
addition to the wealth OF agrieulture wilt
return the preponderance OF political pow
er to the rural districts. where 1t can be
more safely lodged than in the congested
centers Of population, already ominously
powerful in many of our states.