The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-09-16
The EFFECT OF
HOVERSTAB'S MOVE
FARM STOCK AND HOME DIS.
cussEs THE PROBABLE Re
Suits or THE CHANGE or
PROF. HovERsTAp FROM IN
sTlloiE TO NEW WORK.

Farm stock and Home: The 500
railway announces the selection OF
Supt. T. l.. Hoverstad of the North
Dakota Institutes. as head of its de-
~yelopment department. This action
has a double significance. 1t mdl-
Gates that the great transportation
systems of the northwest are vitality
interested in the Developments OF ag-
riculture over the areas covered by
them. This has too commonly been
taken by the farmer to mean simply
more crops to haul to market.
Doubtless, the railways are selfish,
just because their operating chiefs
are human, but a purpose larger than
ordinary selfisfness moves them to
action.
1t will do them little good to induce
the farmers to grow crops unless sucn
crops mean more money in the pockel
of he producer. The one-way haul is
not a. profit producer for the railway,
and a huge crop at a low price means
a large volume Of one-way traffic. The
railway idea of agricultural develop
ment is to treat the farmer as a man
whose business is valuable, and as n
who Is largely a receiver as well as
2 shipper of freight.
To develop the agricultural commun-
ity as buying and selling shipper,
licb VI bulhS IdW pEOuuNlS INK NiNott
but of a continuous stream of fin
ished products, is the ideal at which
the great railway systems are aim
ing, for by such development they
rightly reason that their volume cot
business will become both stable and
permanently profitable. Therefore,
the task of the development agent is
largel ythat of suggesting to the COM
munity profitable lines of farming, and
| . - ~ 49, - -. -AAlIt-h@ hAtfnF-
community spirit, in order that the
more wasteful lines may be eliminat-
ed, and that the attention of the entire
community may center about those
lines best adapted to local produc-
ton.
Well Fitted for Task,
1t goes without saying that super
intendent Hoverstad, who will take up
his new work in the spring, is admir-
ably fitted to work out for the COM
munity this pressing business and So
cial problem. The loss of his per-
sonal services to the state of North
Dakota. will be more than balanced
by the larger service which in his new
position he may render to the agri-
cultural interests of the entire north
west. -
Effect on institute Work.
The effect OF this resignation upon
the future of the institute work in the
northwest, and especially in North
Dakota, must be considered with all
f~rankness by those directly or remote
ly interested. Everywhere men are
saying that the Institutes have run
their course; that the better farming
movement has wiped out the need for
| them which previously existed: or that
the extension work done by the coll
leges, and the expert advice given
direct to the farmer through the local
agricultural schools and other agen-
cies, has taken the place of the tray
cling institute. That a change impends
no n conversant with the situation
will for a moment deny. All these new
forces coming into the field require
that there shall be a reimbursement,
but 1t is rather premature to read the
institute off the boards. 1t may change,
but it can hardly pass away. Possibly
IL will become a part of other and
more direct methods of appeal to the
farmer. 1t has held, and it still holds,
the same relationship to farm educa-
ton that the revival does to the every
day order of religion. In one form or
another both the religious and the
agricultural revival will continue to
be a part of our daily life.
Meanwhile it is for the farmers of
North Dakota to consider in all candor
and GOODNESS what they are to request
of their next legislature, and what
they are to do in uture with the posi-
ton now left vacant. That state to-
day is the nations educational labora-
tory, so far as the problem of reaching
the farmer is concerned. f., S. & H
offers no suggestion as to how the
problem here raised may be solved. II
feels an assurance. that the sober
sense of those concerned will reach a
happy and helpful solution of the
whole matter. But this end can be
attained only by fun and thoughtful
discussion. What do the farmers OF
North Dakota wish done?