The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-10-17

4
all the forces and ell the material that
are now used In the construction Of
the steam engine, the motor, the tele-
graph, or the telephone. All down
through the ages the sons OF men
trampled with unhallowed feet over
the elements out or which modern
genius constructed these twentieth
century wonders. Mans necessities
led him to harness them together in
order TO argument his power over
nature, The birth OF each marked a
distinct epoch tn The worlds economic
history. Human ingenuity Ia still,
aggressive. Our wants are never salts
fed. What undiscovered forces has
nature yet under cover? Who knows?
For science has advanced, for augnt
we know, but little beyond the kinder
garten OF discovery. But just as sure
" as power machinery was invented
in due time 20 relieve the ever-s
creasing strain upon human muscles;
and just as surely as the electrical
transmission of intelligence was in
vented TO meet the growing demands
Of business-just as certainly, and By
the same token, the bread OF the fu-
ture viii come largely from the desert
OF the past.
Mission Of Science.
Science always comes to the aid OF
humanity with sufficient celebrity to
meet great emergencies, and IL always
on the side Of economy. What was
discarded as worthless refuse by the
factory a few decades ago, science has
made the dividend paying bi-product
OF today. But In more important fields
OF research and for even larger prizes,
science now Is graphing with hitherto
unproductive regions which, in due
time, will be converted into fruitful
fields and gardens and vineyards.
Necessity is the mother of inven-
tion.' The achievements OF the past.
however, are sufficient guarantee that
out future wants viii be provided for,
Every positive human need, doubt
less, has o. remedy hidden somewhere
In natures resourceful bosom. But
the remedy must be discovered It is
the mission of science to discover It,
Bread the World Must Have.
More than 1,5OO,OoOOOo hungry
mouths must be fed three times every
day, with gaunt hunger stalking but
few weeks behind the worlds supply
Of food. Moreover, the worlds popu-
latton is ever increasing while the
land areas, the chief source OF food
supply, will remain forever stationary.
Is II reasonable, under these cir
circumstances, that millions of acres of
fertile soil shall remain unproductive,
and becacse unproductive, tenantless.
when only scientific knowledge, coupl-
ed with ordinary industry, is required
to make them fruitful7
But how shall that knowledge be
obtained? And when obtained how
shall 1t be disseminated? How shall
1t be conveyed to those who are in
need of it?
A partial answer may be found in
the inception and purpose of the
International Dry Farming congress;
in the presence and earnestness Of
these delegates, assembled from many
states and countries. each one anxious
to contribute his experience and also
to learn from his brother.
This numerous body assembled here
may be said to represent the collect
ed wisdom and experience of investi-
gators. scientists, theorists and praeti-
cal farmers. But no ones knowledge
is perfect; no one is vet positive. All
are learners. From the accumulated
experience Of these delegates expert
ence that has been gathered under
varying conditions and from many lo-
calitieH, the most that can be hooed
for Is that here. some positive progress
may be made toward the solution Of
the more elementary problems con-
nected with dry farming. The
.weightier and more scientific matters
that bear upon this important ques.
tion must be worked out In the com
ing years, BY patient investigation,
with success ana failure strewn pro-
miscpously along the path OF progress.
Financial Foundation.
TO accomplish a work SO vast and
so intimately related to the welfare
and prosperity OF this and other coun-
tries. the funds for prosecuting the
work should be proportioned to the
task. This congress being voluntary
organization does not detract from its
Importance or its mission. Neither
from it's need OF funds.
A calm survey Of the tremendous
possibilities that may be accomplished
by the promotion of successful agri-
culture over immense areas heretofore
deemed unproductive. which suppose
ton, however, is being dispeiled by
actual experience should inspire en-
couragement for this dry farming pro-
paganda by every lover of his country
and Of his race. For associated with
this movement ia one of the greatest,
II not the greatest physical problem uf
this generation. The vastness Of the
enterprise demands highly organized
effort. It's Importance warrants the
expenditure OF vastly larger sums OF
money that 1T liz possible to provide
under the present precarious system Of
taking UP collections.
This congress-. therefore, ahouId be
endowed with q foundation at oncu
permanent and that win insure an IN
come adequate to It's needs.
Foundations Become Popular.
within recent years. many founda-
tions have been established by men
and women of large means and pub
lie spirit, for the purpose OF promot-
ing laudable enterprises or to endow
worthy institutions. From scores OF
colossal estates, the foundations al
ready established will doubtless be In
creased and new ones made. May we
not fondly hope that this great enters
prise, the international Dry Farming
congress-. will find sufficient favor
with some one. or with several indl-
viduals cooperating, who from their
vast fortunes Will est aside for its use
several million dollars. the interest
and income alone to be used to ad-
vance and perpetuate Its baneficent
work? surely the prize Is worthy any