The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1911-04-15
PROF. HAYWARD
TO FARMERS


OF this kind. representing the gr ..
basic industry OF Agriculture, thai o-le
who thoroughly appreciates The intel
ligence OF his audience should have
chosen this topic for discussion.
| am aware that at least large |
percentage OF the farms represented |
here today are conducted bv business !
men. That most OF the farms OF our
State. however, are suffering rom a
lack of what may be called buslnt 50
management, no one will deny. And
most of YOU will also agree that until
rne man who tlls the soil knows IN de-
tail whether or not his operations are
conducted on money making or on
money losing basis, Agriculture can
never reach the position 1t should oc-
cupy in the progress OF our cNiliza'
ton.
There is no business that is so co,n-
plex as farming, and none i'll which
business principles ere as disregarded'
How MANY merchants would think of
buying a store and stock OF goods
without knowing in detail the cond1-
ton, the adaptation OF its location tor
certain kinds OF trade, the business
this particular store had done in past
wears, the exact condition, the amount
and kinds o. goods on The shelf or in
the ware rooms If the store was run
down he would make a c.ose estimate
OF the capita it would require to put
it on paying basis. and the cost OF
fresh stock Of goods that would mee'
the demands OF its patrons.
How different with the farmer, be
he renant or proprietor, who cCntcm-
plates gorg on to a new farm. Does
he take any steps to ascertain the
amount OF available and potential plant
,ood in his land? Does he have any
idea of the amount il should contain
to be c,asSed rich or poor farm!
Does the average farmer have any
exact information in reference to the
soil requirements OF the crops he ex-
poets to grow Or does he SOW and
reap in the dark, as did one farmer
knew, who came TO the southern PAL.
of the State from the barley section
OF North Dakota He had grown bar
ley in the Northwest and he thought
he could grow it in the Southeast He
sowed, but the harvest scarcely re-
turned the seed that was put into the
ground.
IL is not llllDtSSlDiC lDl any OilS NlLo
is in need OF information pertaining TO
the soil to obtain it from some one OF
the many public service institutions
that are accessible to everyone. How
ever, in spite OF the fact that farmer s
welfare and that o. his family IS de-
pendent upon This sort OF information,
he does not, as yet, appreciate It's III
portance, and continues in the same
old rut that his father and granu-
ia hers had trod before him.
What have said applies with spec
ial force to the tenant farmer. Under
existing conditions, he is paying a
losing game from a financial point o.
view Because he does not realize the
value OF technical knowledge and oil
business methods in his work. he ana
his tamil yarc forced to over-burden
themselves to produce crops that
must compete unfairly with those
raised by farmers who have a higher
standard Of living, Furthermore, be
cause he does not appreciate his re-
sponsibility, to the sol he cultivates
it is becoming depleted OF its lertility
the mos valuable natural resource we
have. In this connection it may be
said that but few farmers consider the
amount Of fertility tina is taken from
the soil with each crop. They do not
appreciate the fact tina the available
plant food in the sol and the physica
condition OF the soil is similar to a
bank account, and should be treared
as such. Whenever a certain amount
is drawn out, it is necessary to make
deposit, il the balance is to remain
the same.
1t is also known that certain crops
as corn. timothy hay, and milk, re-
move much more OF the clements oil
plan. food than do other crops, such
as fruits. for instance. 1t is bur rea-
sGnab'e, therefore. that one should
make a study OF the various crops that
can be grown on his farm, from Ter
tiliyy point OF view to the end that he
may grow those that are most profit
able, considering he fertility removed
as well as the labor AMI cost OF grow
ing and marketing.
Many consider lhiS minor detail
but it is just such minor details that
make ipr the success or failure Of
those who follow us on land we now
occupy as whole sections i'll the SO,