The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-02-16
FARMING CONDITION
IN SOMERSET
The Farmers Need
Practical Methods
S. F. Emerson Expresses His Views of
the Conditions Throughout the
County as lie Has Observed Them.

There never has been a period of
time in all the past that those en-
Gagged in agricultural pursuits were
more anxious in regard to the out
look, or had a greater anxiety to
adopt methods that may lead to sue
cess than now. And | may add that
there has never been time when it
was more essential than now.
ANY advice that can be given, any
move that can be made, any methods
that can be adopted that will BE-
helpful to the great interests of agri-
CT lture should meet the hearty ap
proval of us all. In all lines of bust
ness, in every occupation and pro
fessian, the main object ahead. the
goal that all wish to reach is sue
cess. Out upon these farms that sur
round us today are men and women
who are bravely facing conditions and
not theories, who are striving to bet
ter themselves to get ahead in life.
They do not want to give back in the
great battle that is on. They had rather
advance the lines and hold better
position than they hold now. If
there is a class of men and women
on the face of this earth that are de-
serving of all they get, that need en-
couragement and advantages and OPP
portunities which lead upward to
success, they are found on the farms.
In view of this fact we need to get
the bearings, TO learn what ID and
" hat is not We want facts not
theories. We have had enough of
theories which have amanated from
professors OF agricultural colleges
End from agricultural writer's who
never in all their lives run up against
the cares and perplexities and down.
right hard work connected with run :
ming a farm. There is world of diff
ference between being connected with
big farm with all modern appliances
and advantages and thousands OF dol
lars rolling in every year from State
treasury to supply every need, and
farm. the proprietor of which must
depend alone upon his own resources
and look out all the while after his
own bread and butter. Added to this
are the many wants of the family, the
TOO high taxes, all the wear and tear,
and in many cases the interest mon
1aht hot
standing What the farmers most
need today are not these fine spun
ideas gained by professor with a
pencil behind his ear, and figures on
pasteboard with State salary be-
hind him conveying the theory that
all farms are alike, all soil the same
and all to be subjected TO the same
methods of management. Nor do they
need an agricultural train "junketing
through the country loaded with pro-
fessors and salaried officers trying to
teach certain methods in intensive
agriculture that are never extensive
enough to reach one in ten OF the
f rmers, and those who are reached
will forget all that may be impaired
to them before the season rolls round
for application.
| do not for a moment ignore our
institutions of learning that will come
down to the bed rock OF practical,
sensible, helpful information. well
come them and am anxious for them
to get out on the right line OF active
work. | want a professor OF any
branch OF farm industry to go di-
rectly on to the farm and tell the
% baf 20 nronicalV Uh (
that individual farm is best adapted
to. taking into consideration its To-
cation to market and the peculiar
adaptation or likings of the individual
farmer himself If he finds a farm
that is naturally grass and bay
farm, one that Is composed OF moist
dark soil, given to clay and does not
dry up easily want him to say to
that farmer My dear sir, you are IL
possession OF natural hay farm.
Don't you bother yourself about or
charding or potato raising, subordi-
nate everything else to the grass and
hay crop. No matter whether the
prices are high or low. just keep righ'
along learning what to do and how to
10 it, The markets will come round
eli right and you will win. If you
don't like that branch of farm indus
try, get off from this farm and get
one better adapted to your particular
liking" If that farmer Is satisfied
and brightens up and says all right
I'm in for it, then | want that pro
fessor to nestle right up to him. stand
by him. impart to him all the in
formation possible. Help him to
market Give him the best he has
in encouragement, helpfulness and
good will. If he finds farm that is
elevated, the soil somewhat stony,
with hard subsoil, and mostly a
northern exposure. | want to hear
him say to the proprietor MY good
sir II you are adapted to orcharding
and like the business you camp right
where you are. You are most fortu-
nate in possessing an ideal chance
and opportunity. | am with you.
graduated over there at the universe
ty. You paid taxes to help me out In
learning something about orcharding
and are still paying taxes to support
me. Now let us be of mutual help to
each other and go In to win. am
glad of the opportunity to give you
lift in buying the right kind OF
trees in preparing the soil, planting
them and starting them towards the
goal we wish to reach. want to
Eaap In CAnotonf tnnob With van ond