Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-22

Oh ueSlTe 10 serve, DuL 100 Often, III
difference or opposition on the part or
farmers themselves. The industry has
not always been honored by those who
till the acres Today there is evil
denced, East and West a coming to-
gether OF all classes and sure promise
that within the next decade these land
grant Institutions viii swing TO the
front as practical helpers to a praCti-
cal life of greater service to the state.
Today. because of the bitter attack
upon its head official, the Bureau Of
Chemistry is in the limelight This
bureau was created 10 investigate
methods proposed for the analysis of
plants, fertilizers, and agricultural
products, and makes such analyses
as pertain in general to the interests
of agriculture. The work on foods In
clndes the analysis of adulterated
products. experiments to determine the
effect of adulteraton on the human
organism, and the investigation OF
food products imported into the Unit
cd states As the only producer of
pure food products the farmer is di-
reetly vitality interested in the work
Of this department for the protection
of the public against all food adul-
terations. The human brain cannot
conceive Of the value Of service to
good health rendered by DIR. II. Fl.
Wiley. chief Of the department, during
the past 20 years, and the recent
struggle TO accomplish his overthrow
only illustrates the grasp which the
rank spirit Of eommereialism has
upon individuals. No class is SO di-
reetly Interested in every movement
to insure pure food as that which tills
the soil or grows the animals The
battle now on against fraud through
adulteration, and positive injury
through preservatives. must command
the earnest support of every loyal man
and woman, for if the blow struck at
health through food combinations,
authorizations, and the use OF drugs is
successful. there will surely follow a
reaction against all standards of truth,
honesty, Justice and sobriety.
What the government does for the
farmer must always be determined by
what use the farmer makes of the as
sistance proffered. The mere fact of
pcurine out so Inucn literature IN the
form of tests, theories. demonstration
work and bulletins, never has, and
never VIII uetNtiop dSliSuItlS 'iftS
as these stimulate individuals to
larger and better practices
This spirit OF paternalism so extend
ed, and increasing all the while, must
not be allowed TO dwarf individual eff
fort, and that spirit of dependence
upon the government, which it en-
genders must not be permitted to lift,
in any measure, the sense of respon-
sibility from individual brains, else
men will become listless machines and
permanent loss will ensue. Intended
only To assist, the work of the depart
nent cannot be allowed to supplant
individual effort or responsibility The
complex problems facing the farmer.
today. will every one fade away and
their solution be easily obtained il men
will but think as they work. The
bulletins come as promoters Of men,
tai activity, not as solutions of great
problems The real strength of a ma
ton rests upon the mental acumen of
individuals Farming can never be
made successful, or farming eommu-
mites safe, sane and progressive OK
eept as this sense of individual re-
sponsibility is consciously present at
all times Unless closely guarded pa
ternalism breeds dependence, not self
conscious power, and right here is
where the policy. Of the government
has injured.
Too many persist i'm travelling back
wards and their vision of life is only
what has been, never what is. If some
see not the lessons which face others
and misconstrue the policy of govern
ment, eensure should fall on those
who stubbornly cling to old-time prae-
tees and refuse TO investigate or be
led by those who have Investigated.
Ny father worked his problems in
algebra by the light Of a pine knot in
tho Fireplace. Your ancestors obtained
their education in the struggle against
obstacles. The farms of this fertile
section were carved ont of the forest
where as men dropped tree after tree
they planned for the home and farm
of the future. In their vision of what
was to be they found incentive for SUI
preme effort If, today, the outcome
of the aid the government is render
ing our agriculture insures, in individ-
ual brains, n clearing conception of
what farm life in future years may
be, of what these acres may produce
when constructive efforts are thor
oughly organized. of the certainties
here for sustaining a population far
beyond the present, then will It's full
purpose be realized. The obligation Is
clear. These acres can easily be
doubled in crop capacity. but not I'M
| til growers have come to realize that
| the lessons spread before them by the
government, and the aid proffered by
! the department. is intended solely as
! stifnuants to increased activity, and
that the production Of crop. or ma
turing Of an animal, is but part of
the great work set for the farmer of
| 1872 to compass.
Men are criticizing the large ex-
| penditure Of money by the government
while unmindfIl of the fact that pro-
! duction is simple problem There's
a wide chasm 10 be bridged before the
man on the farm VIII be aroused and
ouickened to utilize to the utmost the
lessons spread upon the pages of the
bulletin. So long as the producer re-
ceiVes less than 81 cents out of every
dollar paid by the consumer of farm
lpno- will tbara ran, q il,