Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-05
The Coming Agriculture.
CHEERFUL OPTIMISM IN OLD AGE.

The coming agrlculture-pernaps
might call it the new, because ii will b
entirely different from the present o
anything that has preceded twill no
come to this country in year or per
haps many of them, but yet it is sure 4
come. At my age, 70 years, | can onl.
expect TO live to see the dawn OF it, ye
in this will rejoice.
So far in our history as farmers W
cannot be called cultivators, but merel,
soil robbers. We have taken no though
for the generations that are to com
after us. The one idea has been-ge
all you can out of the soil with the leas
possible outlay of cash and labor. Un
der these conditions, consumption ha:
overtaken production, and consequently
the city man is complaining of the higl
prices of farm products. Yet the ne
profit to the farmer is small because OF
the high prices paid for labor and the
average half crop grown, which witt
few exceptions must be produced al
loss The old type of agriculture was
extensive, the new will be intensive
and painstaking instead OF
careless and indifferent
With the present intelligent manu-
facture of all articles, the price is being
lowered and the quality improved. With
the new type of agriculture L predict
lower prices to the consumers and great
er net profit TO the growers. With these
all will be pleased. Only
lands that have the possibilities OF
profitable production will be recognized.
Thousands of acres are now being cult
vated where there is no hope of profit, nat
ural fertility all being exhausted. Steep
and stony hillsides forbid any application
Of manure made on the farm, and the en-
tire crops grown would not pay for the
fertilizers 10 enrich them.
There is another class of farm lands
equally unproductiye, yet their improve
ment is very encouraging as source oi
profit. refer to the low, swampy
lands. These are being enriched con-
stantly, and will continue TO be by the
depletion of the high lands surrounding
hem, a portion of which should return
to the growing of useful timber. IL is
their only hope. Iu this way the high
and low lands become source OF pr"tt
and pleasure to all ou-lookers. | can
testify from practical experience that
these low lands can be drained with
much less expense than is generally
aud once this is done, their
fitness for growing better crops each
year is practically assured.
Under the new dispensation IN agri-
culture the social condition of the farm
Or and his family are to be very much
improved Intelligent application of la
Dor tO farm problems will take the place
# the lack of it in the present day. All
farmers know their crops grow, but few
know how they grow. The relation of
soil to tue plant, its growth aud develop
nent, is mystery to them. Iu the past
L has generally teen considered that he
armer was the man who has no need for
special training for his work. In the
uture we shall recognize that more than
most men he needs technical education
or his calling. This will be increasing
Y true with the years. OF course not
al will avail themselves of these good
hings, but all may have the 0pportuni-
y. The reading of literature pertaining
% his calling will take the place of the
lime now given up to neighborhood goS-
,ip. The successful farmer will be the
)ne that 10 scientifically trained. New
problems are constantly arising and can
,nly be met by the man trained in the
schools as well as on the farm.
The causes which lie behind the trou-
oles of the farm must be discovered.
The College of Agriculture makes this
possible. No doubt it will be suggested
hat many of our most successful farm
srs have had no scientific training.
admit it, but the point l wish TO make
g that with it they would have been far
more successful and many things con-
lected with their calling which seemed
10 them dark and mysterious would
have been clearly understood. We know
many things are SO, but TO know ,chy is
very desirable, if we are to treat them
In all branches of manu-
lectures men of scientific training are
considered necessity in connection
with them. Why not so in connec lou
with the farm? There are constantly
arising new developments in plant
iseases, the fertility Of the soil and the
hundred different problems that 60 TO
make up the life work of the farmer.
All these things are hard to be under
stood, and none but trained men along
hese lines need attempt it.
With the coming agriculture the farm
,r's home is 10 be changed and improv-
I'd. The wife is TO be woman of cul-
ure, not expected to do the hard and
hAr xxnrlr thof nrnnarlu ha-
ongs TO the male members of the family.
For pleasure driving the automobile will
AXE the place of the slow and poorly
yroomed horse and mud-cOvered wagon.
II the modern laborsaving devices OF
he city home will be theirs in the new
,r repaired houses yet 10 come. The
exodus to the city can only be prevent
ID by making the farm home a more de-
'irable place to live. And the same can
De said of the farm and its surroundings.
In a few farm homes in our immediate
,icinity the labor-saving devices of the
,ity have been installed, very much to
he ease and comfort of the home-k keep
sr. The man outside has so far reaped
more advantages from modern iuven-
ions than the woman in the house.
The use Of cereals, which are very easily
prepared, of great variety and very
will take the place OF the
great number of unhealthful and ex-
Deusive cakes and pies. This change
will reduce the labor and expense OF the
household materially, to which surely
here can be no objection. The parlor
will be no longer for ornament but for
use whenever it will add to the enjoy
nent of the family.
The farm will not DO conducted on the
principle altogether of seeing how much
ian be got out of it, but rather how
much can be put Into it TO make it ::
iesiable place to live. How many farm
homes are simply staying places, which
he occupants would have no regret at
leaving! Instead of which hey should b.
filed with pleasing memories of social
aud family meetings.
Furthermore, the coming farmer,
through education and training, will be
fitted to take more important place in
our legislative halls. Not depending on
a second-rate LAWYER who has no prac
tical knowledge of the farmers needs Ia
speak for him, he will speak for himself
de will not desire any legislation for
himself, for be will not need it, but {"
protect himself from being legislate,l
against, this having been the case 81
often in the past. The question will NJ
longer be, how to make money enough
in the country TO go to the city to liv',
bat to make enough 10 the city to live il
the country and have all the good things
IL offers, many of which are withou'
money and without price.
kln anf a