The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-18
FARMING NEEDS
IN OKLAHOMA
PRESIDENT j. p. cONNORS OF
THE STATE BOARD OF AGRi-
CULTURE GIVES OPINION.

A staff correspondent of Farm and
Ranch recently sat in the Office
of the president OF Oklahoma state
board of agriculture, in Guthrie, and
in The course of a conversation, ask
ed Hon. J. p. Connors, the incumbent
If that position, what he thought
to be Oklahoma's $ greatest agricul'
ural need, and how 1t could be
gotten.
Mr.. Connors' opinion and plan fol
lows: AS one of the pioneers in the
movement OF tho new state, holder
of one of the most important posts
in the government of it Cfor the Of
flee of the president of the state
board of agriculture carries much
power and influence), and prac-
teal farmer still living ON the farm,
his ideas should be of interest to
our readers. Mr. Connors said;
Oklahoma, In common with many
of the other states, Is mostly in
need OF agricultural education and
Oklahoma, for a young state, has
done much TO obtain il. First
through It's great A. and NJ. college
at saltwater, with its six district
agricultural schools in the state
with its Farmers Institute system
with It's demonstration farm work,
and with its system of travelling
over the state with special trains
teaching special lines of agriculture
and encouraging its state and coun.
ty fairs
1T would be impossible in
short talk, to go into minute de.
tails OF each division of the work;
but not only Oklahoma, but the
entire citizenship of the United
States. is awakening to the necessi.
ty OF better agriculture. Though we
have been at work but two years
in some OF these fields, our state
Is showing the beneficial results OF
the time, money and energy expend.
ed.
When We commenced there were
10 of our &c counties in the state
that knew nothing Of farmers in.
stitute organization, or work. Now
we have demonstration farms in
successful operation in 90 of the 76
counties In the state. in this the
first year OF our effort in that line
The reports from the demonstration
farms are good. In almost every
Instance they are reporting a sub.
stantial profit where the methods
by the board of agriculture
are followed by the farm operator
We have no anxiety for the farm.
er of the coming generation in our
state. If the teaching of agriculture
in all the schools Of the state is
carried out as contemplated in our
constitution and laws. but what to
do for the adult farmer is the oues.
ton.
Those who have never undertake.
EN- educating the adult farmer. AS n
class, need a stout heart and an un.
alterable purpose to continue in the
work. It is very discouraging in the
beginning, but the results Justify
all the effort put forth.
Already in our state. farmers who
heretofore worked In a half,heart.
ed, unsystematic manner are now
systematizing their work. are plant
ing better seed, are discarding crops
that do not pay, and growing more
livestock, are conserving the fertil
ity OF the soil. and in fact, ard
becoming successful farmers gener
ally. And these are the object les.
sons to which we point in our in.
sdtute and demonstration farm work
Il would not be fair II | did not
the good work being done
in cooperation with our forces by
the men in the federal agricultural
departments working in our state,
and while at some future time out
state may be able to occupy this
field alone-and it may be best t.
have 1t so-still at this time in our
youth. and in the missionary stage
of this work, it is very wholesome