Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-09-02
WHAT A COLLEGE GRADUATE
vs. is DOING ON THE FARM


the work Of the newer generation on
western farms. The result Of train
ing and Of broader ideas Is seen In
the methods of today as they take
the place Of those of the early set
tiers who were hampered by the, need
of experiment and trial before they
learned what was best to do and how
to do It.
Not every boy seeks an education
with the idea of being farmer when
it is over and when one does the
outcome is interesting. Such an am
bition has animated one young man
Of this community and it. has worked
out in practical results. His exper-
fence is good example Of what edu-
cation means on the farm.
II always wanted to be a farmer
"a dairy farmer" was the way
James r. Carver, son Of @. M. Carver
put It as he stood at the door of the
big barn on his fathers farm three
miles east Of town. THAT was why
/ went to college and / spent my
time trying to learn how to be the
best farmer possible"
1t was difficult to realize that this
frank-faced young Kansan, clad In
blue overalls and dark shirt with
a wide hat shading his brozed face
could write "B. s., M. s" after his
name and that he had spent five
years out of the twenty-four OF his
life in college halls. Before that
he graduated from the Abilene high
school 80 was well prepared for his
chosen work.
II went to the state agricultural
college four years with no other idea
than farming" he went on. "Then
took my postgraduate work in the
agricultural college of Wisconsin.
Last February my father who has
been raising high grade cattle and
hogs turned the farm over to me and
/ began putting my own ideas into
practice"
He is master of a half section OF
fine bottom land equipped with build
ings and conveniences usually found
on modern farmers place. But 1t
was not up to his idea and the
changes he has made and the new
ideas he has put into practice are
good exhibit Of what may be expect
ed in western farming in the fu-
ture.
He began with the barn. A wind
mill had furnished the pumping pow
or but winds were uncertain. He
built an engine house and installed
a four-horse power gasoline engine.
From this he ran shafting and belts
until the work room looks like a sec
ton Of a factory-as indeed 1t Is In
large sense.
He had learned that grain is better
feed when ground and a feed-grinder
was put in. Then an elevator that
would carry the grain to storage
rooms above where II necessary H.
900 bushels can be cared for was
added. IT do not propose to sell
grain except on foot; It is more prof
table that way" said he.
Pipes were laid carrying water to
all parts Of the farm yard and to
the house where the convenlences OF
city water system are enjoyed as
a part Of his modern plan. Great
tanks give the cattle and hogs plenty
Of fresh water constantly and II re-
quires but the starting Of the engine
to Get all the machinery in motion
"These are things that any farmer
can have" explained the young man.
ager. SIT makes the handling Of
stock easy. 1t lie especially easy and
convenient for me-for ! am q dairy
farmer remember"
To carry out this, the most i'm
portant part Of his ideas, required
another innovation most interesting
Of ali.
The big barn was divided into Ions
rows Of stalls for the cows. Each
animal has a swinging iron neck hold
or that gives 1t ample liberty YET
keeps It in place.
In front Of each row is an iron
pipe air tight leading to vacuum
tank in the power room where are
indicators telling Of the air pressure
The engine pumps the air out OF ths
tank and 50 out Of the pipes leaving
a suction that is used to operate
milking machines Of which eight are
installed. These are Of the ordinary
.asrfatanfngnN NIL