Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-12-30
Proposes Model Farms.

announced last week his intention of cor
ferring with those interested in the sue
eestion of Mr.. Vim. E. Ellicott, of Baltimore
that the United States Government Great
great national park in the country lyin
between Baltimore and Washington an,
adjoining the District of Columbia, with
view of seeing whether the plan cannot b
put Immediately into such practical shap,
as to justify him in introducing in tn,
U. 5. Senate at this session a bill author
izine the establishment of such reserva
ton and appropriating the money necessar.
to begin the work.
Senator Smith strongly indorses the sug
eestion, but thinks that it can be worked
out in such way as to be and NEAR
something more to the country than 6
mere park or forest reservation. His idea
is that with the reservation contiguous t
washington and right at the door of the
Department of Agriculture, there could b.
established and maintained under the di.
rection of the Secretary of Agriculture
within the reservation a group of mode
miniature farms upon which crops could be
grown under the most modern and scien-
tlfc methods and with all the advantages
of the knowledge and experience possessed
by the department. These model farms s.
each an acre or so in extent he thinks
would not only not mar the natural beauty
OF the national park or forest reservation
but would add to its charms, its interest
and its value These farms would, he be-
lieves, bring to this part of the country
thousands of farmers from all over the
United States. and from other countries as
well, to whom the actual demonstration OF
growing crops under scientific cultivation
would mean more in agricultural educa-
ton than they could obtain in any other
way.
"All the literature sent out from the de-
partment to the farmers throughout the
country" said Senator Smith, would not
give them the real information they could
get by coming to the place where the scien-
tific theories of the Governments agricul-
tural experts could be seen in practical
application. The real prosperity of this
nation depends upon the farm Agricul-
ture is the basic rock of the foundation
upon which the country's welfare is erect
ed. Every year this fact is becoming
palmer. and more and more people are be-
ginning to realize it. do not believe the
United States Government can spend its
money in better way than by promoting
the agricultural interests of the country,
and there is for the Government no better
investment than that of intoxicating into
the minds of the farmers the necessity for
adopting scientific methods of farming.
This suggestion of Mr.. Ellicott looks to
me like a great chance for the Government,
one which should not be overlooked and
one upon which the wisest men in Con-
eress should cooperate.
THE creation between Baltimore and
Washington of national park, broad and
beautiful, with handsome boulevard run
ming through its centre, in itself is a pro-
ject well worth while and to which there
can be no objection. When you couple
with this park project the opportunity Of
establishing model farms upon which the
scientific experience and knowledge of the
agricultural experts can be practically de-
monstrated for the benefit and instruction
OF farmers, II seems to me you have a
plan the advantages of which are too
plain to admit of argument. Whatever
money the Government found necessary to
create such reserve and establish such
farms. in my judgment. would be well ex-
pended
81 intend during the holidays to confer
with the men interested in the park pro-
ject and to suggest to them the addition
of the model farm idea II there is a prac-
tical way in which the plan can be put in
shape for immediate introduction at this
session, will introduce the bill at once.
If, however. the details of the plan require
more time to work out than is allowed by
the short duration of this session. will in
troduce it as soon as the Sixty-Second Con-
eress convenes, and will push it. The plan
is good one and should not be allowed
to drop with the mere suggestion and in
dorsement of the American Civic Associa-
ton"
Mr.. Ellicott's idea is that tract of land
about 100000 acres in extent could be
purchased for about $8,000,OOO, The ex-
tent of the reservation and the amount of
money necessary are the two questions
about which Senator Smith proposes to
gather information before putting his bill
into shape.