The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1909-02-11
VALUE Of FARMERS INSTITUTE
Presidents Address, by W. s. Starr ct
the Farmers Institute.

Presidents Address, by W. s. Starr u
the Farmers Institute.
Ladies' and Gentlemen and Fellow
Farmers.
We have again met together to dis
cuss our successes and our failures on
this, our annual institute, which we
hope will not only be profitable, but
also an agreeable experience.
This year we will have with us
members OF the university staff who
are not only specialists in their line
but men of thorough training and wide
practical experience. They will give
us the benefit of their years OF study
and training, and will be able to help
us solve many puzzling questions and
difficult problems.
With large majority OF farmers our
early education on the lines OF practi-
cal agriculture was badly neglected.
We are just awakening to the fact that
the farmer, to be successful, should
have technical, or special training.
Farming, as rule, is done In a hap
hazard, hit or miss, way. Nearly all
businesses, professions or callings, are
no longer carried on in this wayf We
are no longer willing to trust to kind
and indulgent Providence, but we want
to get down to fundamental facts We
want to know the why and wherefore
of everything. We want to proceed in
way that will bring not probable or
possible, but assured success.
We live in progressive age and we
must progress. We are progressive
people, come togather from different
progressive states, and we must lead
in the great progressive movement.
Success leads to greater success.
The Twin Falls tract is now looked
upon as Promised Land" and we
have been making good. Yes, we have
succeeded beyond our fondest hopes.
The wilderness blooms and blossoms
as the rose" We have set the pace;
others are content to follow. We are
looked upon as good example for
others to emulate.
But just here | wish to drop word
of warning. Great success is built
upon small details. The individual
farmer is looking after the details of
our great success. 1t was an optomis-
tic mind with good judgment and long
foresight that first conceived the idea
of retaining the great desert. The
millions of the capitalist made this
dream a reality and carried the idea
one step farther. To attract to this
section of virgin soil the ambitious
home builder, was another step to the
ultimate end. Now we come to the in
dividual. And / want to put 1t to you
plainly and squarely If we fail to
make good, the boosters" glowing &C
counts of the promised land is a false
fabrication. The capitalists millions
will have been spent in vain the opti-
mist's dream will have a rude awak-
ening
But, SO far, we have all made good
We must continue to make good. /
tell you this is only the beginning.
We have here the nucleus Of great
irrigated empire, with homes for the
millions, and food for the tens of mil
lions. We become enthusiastic when
we try to contemplate the future pos
sibilities of this great irrigation enter
prise. But the ultimate success OF it
all depends on the success of the in
dividual farmer. Not few OF the most
enterprising, but the great majority
Some failures are to be expected. Yet
we think that when an individual finds
that he is not success as farmer,
he should step aside and let someone
more in sympathy with the work take
his place.
The work of the Farmers Institute
is to look after the individual farmer.
Help him over the rough places. In
spire him with new hope and greater
1T lit o.
life more agreeable and attractive.
Enable him to become better acquaint-
ed with his neighbors. Brighten him
up Intellectually. Not only make him
better man, but better citizen.
We will here discuss the subjects
most pertinent to successful farming,
by specialists or by practical men who
will speak from what they know from
actual tests and much experience. You
can here, in few days time, get what
actual experience
1t is hard to impress upon the mind
of many farmers the value or import
of the much valuable information
brought within their reach by the
Farmers Institute. 1t is a short agri-
cultural course, and we find the prac-
IiSol Aul AACl apt SluuC1C IL VIC Cdu
once get him started in.
The mountain would not come to
Mohamet SO Mohamet went to the
mountain. The great majority of us
could not or did not go to the agrlcul-
tural college, but now, even this late in
life, the college Is coming to us.
Our instructors furnish us the scien-
tific knowledge. We make the actual
test and practical application OF that
knowledge. We demonstrate the ef-
feet OF local conditions of soil, cli-
mate and moisture. We ascertain the
best grains, grasses, vegetables, ETC.,
for us to grow. The scientists tell us
how best to improve these and culti-
vate SO as to get the best results
The same with fruits, livestock,
poultry and everything connected with
the farm. At this time l wish to call
your attention to few OF the many
small livingstone not SO small after
all-which will materially help the
whole cOmmunfty: