Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-01-13
Science in Farming.

ed that stage OF development when
anyone who does not practice the
most practical and scientific methods
in soil culture is not regarded worthy
the name of "farmcr"-thc name that
means more to the American people
than that of any other vocation-the
industry that is the support OF the ma
ton.
The scientific farmer is easily rec
ognized as the most enterprising and
prosperous man in his neighborhood.
He studies the properties of his soil
and knows just to what crop each acre
on his farm is best adapted. There
is no waste land on his place, but ev-
cry foot of soil produces something
His improvements are always vel
kept up and he realizes that paint i:
a good preservative as well as adding
much to the appearance of his build,
ings.
In his home are to be found the
best farm journals, farm bulletin.
from both the state and national ag
ricultural departments and he is al
ways in attendance at his agriculture
college institutes and short courses
All his stock and poultry are pur,
bred and in their care he realizes tha'
they have feeling the same as himself
The word science has been a LITTLE
unfortunate. 1t has been misunder
stood and misapplied until it has be
come unpopular. The science whicl
stitutes the real defensive armor o
that subject.
If we were to define science in mos
familiar language we should say it j
classified gumption, and gumption is
common sense acquired by exper
ience. 1t is the best of everybody
| experience indexed-in your library OF
your memory-for quick reference
1t is business method acquired by act
ual practice.
Now, what objection can there b,
to putting farming on business bas
is and conducting every department
| by common sense methods!
When the scientific farmer cuts {;
dozen or twenty trees from his wooC
lot, he plants as many or few more
unless he has thrifty growth O
young timber to keep up the supply
| He does not plant a fine young or
chard and leave it to survive or per
ish until nor one healthy tree remain.
| to mark the location; nor does h,
neglect the old orchard.
| He knows that the cost of delayed
work and repairs to machinery will
more than offset the difference be
tween the price Of skilled and unskill
| ed labor.
He knows what elements of soil fer
tility his crops remove from tn
fields and restores those elements by
feeding on the land. by crop rotation
or by the purchase of a well know
commercial fertilizer.
He does not think every day as he
passes worn board in a bridge. tina
he will have that fixed" and thei
leave it until horse or COW, perhap
his very best, has fallen through an,
broken a leg.
When new vehicles or machines ar,
bought the old ones are not pushet
from the sheds and left to fall I,
pieces in the sun and rain; they art
sold or given to deserving person.
who need them.
Winter does not find the machinery
rusting and rotting in corners o
fields where il was last used, or hi.
tools lying in forgotten heaps.
He never waits until sowing tim,
to provide seed. Such seed as h,
saves from his own harvest is care
fully selected from the best OF tn,
crop. cured. and guarded until it i:
needed. When there is need OF new
seed he takes pains to select for the
particular conditions which his farm
affords.
He knows that "all work and M
play makes Jack dull boy" so h,
sees that there are rest hours and res
days for his teams. his help and hi
family. He makes the winter tim
as rcs,ful as possible by changing oc
cupation. shortening the day and al
lowing more holidays.
He does not look glum when tn,
women folks ask for little none,
and tell them Times is awful hard
then keep them shaving in the kitchci
early and late to provide entertain
ment for troops OF loafers who toasD
their shins before his fire and dcvour
the profits of the summers work.
| He is pleased to join his family il
such social life with friends and
neighbors as their time and means
permit
He sees that ncatness. comfort and
good sanitation prevail every place
from the family dwelling TO the hog
house. In providing for winter h,
has a care for even the wild birds.
| These arc few of the practices oi
the scientific farmer.-Ranch and
Range.