The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-10-27
Future of the Farm
In Escarnbia County.

q course of instruction in agriculture
at the University of Florida, awakens
fresh interest in the question OF i'm
proved farming methods. The address
delivered at the meeting by Professor
Rolls was a strong confirmation Of the
view hitherto expressed by The Jour
nal that it only requires the applica-
ton of scientific knowledge combined
with energy to produce from Escam-
bian soil an almost endless variety OF
plant life IN wonderful profusiOn.
No doubt the candidates for appoint
ment to the university course Will be
we'll selected by Secretary Waterman,
of the Chamber of Commerce, who
has the matter in charge, and the III
structiOn they will receive will be
utilized to the best effect when they
return home both for their own profit
and for the edifcation of others. The
result of this undertaking should
make itself apparent in a years time.
No doubt it will do so, for the new
| light these students will have thrown
upon their vocation, revealing its true
beauty and unparalleled worth in
comparison with other industries in
the state will also awaken their am
bition to be up and doing without de-
lay.
In the upbuilding of Pensacola we
know of no more vital necessity than
the peopIing of its adjacent territory
and the development of its farm lands
to the highest pitch of efficiency. This
would mean prosperity of a kind the
most substantial; the growth Of
body of weIl-tO-do people who would
ton of many new activities which
always follow changed conditions and
an increase of population.
The tri-county fair to be held next
month is destined to awaken new in
terest in this subject. According to
State Chemist Rose the farmers in
stitute, the demonstration farm and
county fair are the three most i'm
pOTtant adjuncts to development the
state possesses" They are a strong
trinity, without question. Escambia
has Just enjoyed a session of the
farmers institute. it will soon be the
scene of a fair. And it remains now
only for the establishment of a de-
monstration farm to complete its par
ticipation in these three most i'm
portant adjuncts."
In connection with the last named
adjunct" the necessity of which we
have so earnestly called to the atten-
ton of the county authorities, the
following from the pen of James J.
Hill, the western railroad president
and promoter in November's number
of Worlds Work is well worth read
| ing Mr. Hill is a man of broad OBJ
seFvation and unquestionably true
| judgment and is qualified to speak on
| this subject from his intimate knOwl-
| edge of conditions in the great farm
/ ing sections of the west. He says:
J If could have my way l should
| build a couple Of warships a year less.
Perhaps one would do l would take
| that $5,000,000 or $6,000,000 a year
and start at least 1000 agricultural
| schools in the United States at $1,000
| year each, in the shape of model
! farms. This model farm would be
simply a tract of land conforming in
size. soil treatment, crop selection and
rotation and methods of cultivation to
modern agricultural methods Its
purpose would be to furnish to all its
neighborhoOd a working model for
common instruction. Cultivating, per
| haps, from forty to sixty acres, it
could exhibit on that area the ad-
vantages of thorough tillage which
| the small farm makes possible; of
| seed specially chosen and tested by
| experiment at agricultural college
! farms; of proper fertilization, stock
| raising, alienation of crops and the
whole scientific and improved system
of cultivation, seeding, harvesting and
marketing. The farmers of a county
could see. must see, as they passed its
| borders, how their daily labors might
bring increased and improved results
The example could not fail to impress
itself upon an industry becoming each
year more conscious of its defects and
! its needs. As fast as il is followed, it
would improve farm conditions, make
this form of enterprise more attract
i've to the young and the intelligent,
and add enormously to the volume Of
farm products which constitutes our
enduring national wealth.
1t is not likely, from present ap-
pearances, that Mr.. Hill Will have
his way" and that the federal govern
ment will cease its inoTdinate ship
building and preparations for war:
but states and counties could do the
work of establishing these demonstra-
ton farms. And insofar as Escambia
county in particular is concerned the
matter is sQuarely before its com
missioneTs. A well conducted county
farm 10 show the world what our
lands can produce would be ar adver-
tisement of great value and Of certain
good result.
BOOST, BOOM, BUILD-THAT'S
ALL