The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-09-18
cjJuluiT
PRESS Coa0dkltT


James ]. Hill, In . letter to the
New York Post. expresses the opinion
that while the agricultural colleges
and schools are doing a splendid
work. q work that should be encour-
aged by every means at command. yet,
It is now time to instruct the whole
body of farmers. Tho unlettered man,
1t is commended, and the contention
appeals to common knowlsdge as the
fact, is a good tiller Of the soil, and
will profit by the experience OF the
scientific farmer II 1t shall only be
that he may observe and know what
that experience really it. This reas-
oning lead directly to the advocacy of
the model farm as an institution of
more general establishment than it is
at present.
Supporting the plea for the model
farm James J. Hill argues that, while
existing methods OF agricultural teach
ing in the country are all right
enough, yet they are good deal like
the grain in the parable OF the SOW
er. Some of this instruction falls on
the stony ground Of mere abstract
apply it, They know what makes a
how to milk COW or make butter.
Some Of the seed falls by the wayside
and produces no fruit whatever ex-
cept in the person OF the fancy farm
Ter who is always strong on theory but
always weak on crop raising that is
profitable. The bigger part of the
seed, as we realize, falls on good
ground. and bears bountiful harvest
of good fruit
But as part Of this fruit Mr. Hill
urges the model farm to be establish
ed in every state and in every county
of each state. He shows how the
working of similar system in Euro
pean countries has increased the acre
yield to point that should make the
average American farmer ashamed of
himself, and that teaches agriculture
even to illiterate people in such way
that, with this acre increase, there
is enhanced acre productiveness-or,
In other words, the lands are made to
produce more without exhaustion,
which is the solution of the great
central problem in farming.
1t is explained that the Great North
ern railway is now selecting five-acre
tracts on farms along its lines, paying
the owner for his labor and giving
him the crop on condition that he tills
those acres exactly as directed. 1t is
expected that the contrast between
the products OF those acres and others
and mechanically titled by
the farmer and his neighbors will
serve as an object lesson Of value.
The soundpess of the contention is not
to be doubted. AS matter of fact II
has already been proved by actual
experiment.
Why should not every state, in
Guiding the state Of Oregon, maintain
such farm as Mr.. Hill suggests in
every county? Millions Of state funds
are expended every year in this coun-
try for far less worthy purposes.
Moreover we should not forget at any
time that the best progress we can
make is in the promotion of that
policy which will turn public atten-
ton more and more to the tilling Of
the soil. The more profitable we make
that occupation, considered as a
whole, the more effective will such a
policy become.
The whole subject as James j.
Hill presents it is practical, and II
ought to receive the careful considera-
tion of agricultural authorities in every
|state.-Portland Telegram.