Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-13
The "Practical Farmer" and Science

1t is creditably reported tnat some VI
the largest oranges in this section have
voted that they do not need the assist
ance that the University Professors at
Orono can render them and have decid-
ed to 90 it alone. II the report is cor.
rect some one has certainly blundered
for it is hardly possible for these entbu-
siastic young professors to visit a live
grange without producing gratifying re-
suits, provided of course, the member
ship are on TO their job.
While the professors or their friends
would hardly feel like claiming that
they knew everything, they are brought
face to face with practicability of the
first order at one Of these meetings and
are not to be envied if they 60 not pre-
pared to face cold, bare practical facts.
Science as represented by these learned
gentlemen of books is on trial at each
and every gathering, and up to the pres.
ent time she has given good account OF
herself.
Just at this juncture of this discussion
our eve catches the following editorial
in Hoard's Dairyman. If any Patron
has any reply to make to 1t we should
be only too glad to give him space in
our columns. Here Is the article entire:
WHAT is 1T TO BE A SCIENTIFIC FARM.
We know that a vast number of the
average farmers of this country have
strange distrust of the application OF
i science to farming. In many instances
| il amounts to contempt.
We have heard hundreds OF farmers
say that they "wanted nothing to dc
with scientific farming" Yet such men
must be very shallow and superficial
observers of their own business. Take
it in machinery. The farm machinery
of to-day, compare it with the rude,
crude efforts of so to 100 years ago.
And still every machine used on the
farm is the result of a scientific study ol
physics. Consider the Babcock test and
it's tremendous effect upon associated
and all other forms of dairying. That
was the discovery Of scientific man,
great chemist. Take it in the study OF
the soil and the application of the com
mercial fertilizers. Not single social.
ed practical farmer in the land ever dis.
covered the nature and uses of nitrogen
potash and phosphorus In the promotion
of plant life. Agriculture is indebted
to the chemist for all it knows on this
subject. And so it goes in what we
know OF the diseases of our domestic
animals and the influence Of bacteria or
their health and vigor. 1t took Pas
teur and Koch as we'll al host oi
other scientific men to put US In pos
session of knowledge with which tC
guard and defend our livestock interest
The practical farmer has been waiting
for thousands of years for Professor
King with his scientific knowledge tc
study out practical system OF vent1a
ton for our stables. The farmers wert
and are still powerless to combat th'
mighty host of insect enemies that prey
on our grains and fruits except for th'
investigations of science whereby the
use of spraying was instituted. And 81
through the whole range of farming
grain farming, fruit farming and anima
farming, are we greatly indebted to tht
scientists for the fact that We are still
able to hold the field.
How cheap and foolish then is thi
prejudice that 80 many farmers fee
against scientific farming. We are deal
ling With nature in her most subtle ant
intricate forms Of expression. We mus
have the aid Of the scientists to save u
from the ruination Of our own business
Now any man of average intelligence
can become scientific farmer II he viii
but inform himself of the conclusions o
science. He need not be chemist II
know lot about the conclusions OF sol
} chemistry. All he needs to have IL
fair education and reading, studiou
} mind. The mind, the understanding
the judgment "grows by that which |
! feeds upon," just the same as do tn
plants and the bodies of all animals.
II a farmer gives his mind no strengt
or study on these things, he has D
thought or judgment concerning them
that is worth anything. The art O
farming we learn with our hands; th
science OF farming We must learn froI
. the Investigations OF .meu Of science.