New-York tribune., 1909-07-01
LETTERS TOTHE EDITOR
A PLEA FOR TRAINING OF FARMERS.
Skill Needed to Make Land Give Forth It's Ut.
most, Mr.. Powell Saws.
Editor OF The tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; In The discussion OF the future Increase %
population and the anticipated higher cost OF SUB
sistence the means for meeting these conditions
and the possibilities of increased production are
largely overlooked. With the right kind Of teach
ing and training in agriculture within the next
century the production Of the farms Of the United
States should be increased 100 per cent and the
cost reduced TO the consumer 80 per cent with a
hetter profit for the producer than he is now re-
ceiving
The possibility OF production Of an acre OF land
Is yet unknown Land has been so abundant and
It's Fertility 50 great that little attention has been
given to the future demands be made upon It.
The methods Of the past have been most wastsfuI
and while there is an Improvement on the part OF
many farmers Of the present time in the manage
ment OF their land. there is vet a vast amount OF
unlnteligent and uneconomicaI work done in farm
ing There is no business calling that more IN
tricate and that calls for broader and more d.
verse knowledge than that Of agriculture
While the average annual production Of the Lsoe-
coo dairy cows Of the State Of New York has been
only 5000 pounds Of milk ard 1SO pounds OF butter
10 the COW, individual animals have been bred that
have produced 5000 pounds of milk and over LOO
pounds Of butter. few individual herds have
been improved 70 the point where they have zfven
an average Of 1000 pounds Of milk and $50 pounds
Of butter a COW
With an average OF one hundred bushels OF pota-
toes from an acre of land four hundred bushels
lliNe FeEu produced IN This state. which has
done by seed selection higher fertiIizng and good
culture From the average yield OF forty bushels
OF oats. eighty-hve bushels frequently produced
from an acre IN various parts Of New York State
From one and onequarter tons of hay. SIX tons are
produced by some exceptionally good farmers
These facts also borne out IN the yield OF corn
and wheat There millions OF acres Of land
that are by no means exhausted Of their plant food
that BY intelligent management may be made more
productive than at any time in the past.
is class of educated and trained men in the bust
ness The farmers Of the past have had little ad-
vantages Of education beyond the few English
branches that have been taught in the common
schools. where nothing pertaining to the soil. plant
or animal life Of the natural sciences rela-
tive 70 the needs OF rural life have been taught
The result OF this defect in educational system
has been to turn boys and girls from rural
schools with prepared NJ education for the
life many Of them would naturally follow and, be
ing unable 70 cope with the intricate problems that
confront them. and unable to make the farm paw.
they abandon It and seek other occupations So sx-
tensively has this condition grown that OF the
ordinary farm productions. such apples. potatoes
and dairy and poultry products. from under-pro-
duction have reached such high values as TO be op-
pressive 10 vast numbers of consumers
That there IS work IN this vast field affecting
the best interests Of nation for the centuries -
come IN which older universities may enter II
evidenced by the recent demand that has been
made upon Columbia to establish among its other
colleges and schools for teaching and training
in agriculture Since school of forestry is to be
established OF its students IN engineering and
other courses have expressed desire for course
IN agriculture as the future of farming appeals
them furnishing most satisfactory field for
trained men As the increase in population and the
vast numbers Of consumers engaged in other oCcu-
pations will make demand for foods. and ar prices
that must always be in the future based upon
high values there should be a system of teaching
ned
will make possible increased productions at less cost
10 consumers vet with fair profits the producer
That this may De done is entirely possible
GEORGE T POWELL
President the Agricultural Experts Association
New York. June %. 1909.