The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-02-09

nine ears pulled out over the Northern
Pacific tracks from the Union Depot.
st. Paul, one day early in June 1910,
bound for long run of more than two
thousand miles. not counting the return
journey-a train that was neither
passenger" nor a 'freight.' 1t con
sisted of a fiat car. two baggage cars.
three coaches, diner, sleeper and
parlor car.
A glance at the train as it stood in
the yards explained its character and
its purpose. NORTHERN PACIFIC
BETTER FARMING SPECIAL" on a
banner extending the whole length of
the foremost baggage car, announced
what it was and suggests what it was
for. A moments study of the printed
itinerary, embracing a distance of more
than 1000 miles. including nearly a hun
dred stops at small towns and stations.
ranging in length from two to four
hours, still further explained the pur-
pose of the train which was operated
by the Northern Pacific Railway, at
its own expense, in pursuit of its
policy of seeking to promote the best
Advancement of agriculture in the ter
ritory tributary to its lines. Other
banners on other cars-as animal Hus
bandry' "Agronomy," "Dairying and
Poultry" Home Economics Explained
why there We're ust SO many ears in
the tran-that is. Just why each car
was there.
The initial point OF the official journey
of the Better Farming Special" was
Fargo. y. d.. on the transcontinental line
of tn" Northern Pacific. and the hour
of departure was G:30 4. NJ. Monday.
June 9th On the printed itinerary it
was announced that the train would stop
at Beach. North Dakota. 314 miles west
of Fargo. at $3.50 p. NJ. on Friday. June
18th. The following announcement was
printed at the end Of the North Dakota
schedule:
The North Dakota schedule termi-
mates at the close of the Beach meet
ing: the North Dakota exhibits will be
removed from the train and shipped
back to the Agricultural College by
freight: the train will be removed t.
Wibaux and fitted up by the Montana
Agricultural College on Saturday and
Sunday. ready to start on the Montana
trip Monday morning"
The first meeting in Montana was at
900 A. NJ. at WibauX. Monday. June
10th. The last meeting in Montana was
held at Heron. 764 miles west Of
WibauX. at 300 p. NJ. Saturday. July
2nd. A similar announcement to that
inserted after the North Dakota schedule
followed the Montana schedule. stating
that after the close of the meeting at
Heron the Montana delegation would
return and the train be reorganized. at
Pullman. Washington. and taken in
charge by the representatives OF the
State College of Agriculture OF the
State of Washington. thence to 60 on Il
similar mission OF instruction. inspira-
ton and encouragement through the
great agricultural districts Of Eastern
Washington.
The train really constituted a school
OF agriculture on wheels. Members {.
the faculties of the Agricultural Colleges
of the states traversed made up the
stafis of instructors Farming in nearly
every IMAGINABLE phase was discussed:
what to do. and when to 10 it; what t.
avoid and what to emphasize. Were
pointed out by men who had made a
speciality OF the particular problems they
live stock. poultry raising. dry farming.
the care and cultivation Of orchards,
pruning. spraying and grating. harvest
lUS anu PdNhinS iuit. tHC Soh'bi e'Nei'iA
of farm buildings. drainage. sanitation
and water supply, home convenienccs.
household economies. and other subjects
of like Importance We're dealt with by
specialists in these various lines.
The train of nine cars was loaded with
farm machinery. agricultural implements.
orchard and garden tools and products,
live stock. sheaves of grain and grasses.
articles illustrative of household econom-
les and the principles of sanitation.
On the fiat car were such farm ma
chimes and implements as would be re-
9uired for a farm OF ordinary size. In
one of the baggage cars the types OF
dairy and beef animals were represented
by living specimens. comfortably stalled
in booths provided for them. also swine
and sheep representing types adapted
to Northwestern conditions. Lectures
on dairying and stock raising were thus
accumulated and illustrated by specimens