The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-02-25
Telling the Farmer
Better Methods
HOW A RAILROAD SEEKS TO AID The couN1RY.mEh
More Products More FREIGHT!

st. Paul, Dec. 10, l9lO.--A train Of
nine cars pulled out over the Northern
Pacific tracks from The Union Depot,
st. Paul, one day early in June, 1910,
bound for a long run of more than two
thousand miles, not counting the return
iourney-a train that was neither a
passenger nor a freight It con-
sisted of a fiat car. two baggage cars,
three coaches, a diner, a sleeper and a
parlor car.
i A glance at the train as it stood in
the yards explained it's character and
it's purpose NORTHERN PACIFIC
BETTER FARMING. 5SPECIAL,' 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 hum
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
it's own expense, in pursuit of it's
policy of seeking to promote the best
advancement Of agriculture in the ter
ritory tributary to it's lines. Other
banners on other cars-as "Animal Illus
bandry." "Agronomy,' "Dairying and
Poultry" ':Home Economics "-expIaincl
why there were Just so many cars III
the train-that is, just why each car
was there. ... -.
The initial point of the official journey
Of the Better Farming Special'' was
Fargo, N. d., on the transcont mental line
Of the Northern Pacific. and the hour
If departure was $3.50 n. NJ. Monday,
June 9th. On the printed itinerary it
was announced that the train would stop
It Beach. North Dakota, 374 miles west
Of Fargo, at $3.50 p. H., on Friday, June
18th. The following announcement was
printed at the end OF the North Dakota
schedule:
,"The North Dakota schedule tcrmi-
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 to
Wibaux and fitted up by the Montana
Agricultural College on Saturday and
Sunday, ready to start on the Montana
trip Monday morning. g; -.
The first meeting in Montana was at
200 4. NJ. at WibauN. Monday, June
10th. The last meeting in Montana was
neld at Heron, 7G4 miles west Of
Wibaux, at 800 p. NJ. Saturday, July
End 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
l>o 81
Pullman. Washington, and taken in
charge by the representatives of the
State College of Agriculture Of the
State of Washington. thence to 90 on a
similar mission of instruction. inspira-
ion and encoura cement through the
great agricultural districts of Eastern
Washington.
The train really constituted school
of agriculture on wheels. Members. of
the faculties of the Agricultural Colleges
Of the states .traversed made up the
staffs of instructors. Farming in nearly
every imaginable phase was discussed:
what to do, and when to do it; what to
avoid and what to emphasize, were
pointed out by men who had made a
Speciality Of the particular problems they
were attempting to explain. Dairying,
live stock, poultry raising, dry farming.
the care and cultivation Of orchards.
pruning. spraying and grating, harvest
ing and packing fruit, the construction
of farm buildings, drainage, sanitation
and water supply, home conveniences.
household economics. and other subjects
Of like Importance were 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-
quired 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
OH dairying and stock raising were thus
accentuated and illustrated by specimens