Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-01-24
FOR BETTER AGRIcULrURE.
Important Bill introduced in Con-
gress To-day.

Important Bill introduced in Con-
gress To-day.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 70 - A bill OF
great import was introduced in the House
Of Representatives last Wednesday by
Representative Lever, Of South Carolina,
and on the same day it was presented
in the Senate jointly by Senators Hoke
Smith and Page. The bill provides for
the further endowment and support Of
agricultural colleges to enable them to
assist in getting into practice the best
methods Of agriculture evolved by opera
ton OF the plan OF establishing and main
tanning agricultural colleges and expert
ment stations in the various states.
This measure is the joint work Of the
National soil fertility league, the execu-
tive committee OF the colleges OF agricul-
ture and the statesmen above named. It
Is in line with the Presidents recon-
mendstion in his address at the National
conservation congress at Kansas City,
NO., Sept. rs, 1911; it has the support
Vi VIC loubc lc6aSi5 Va bobA P0AbASoS aho
it may be regarded as an omni-partisan
measure.
According to the general plan out OF
which this measure springs, it is proposed
that the procedure shall consist of getting
into general practice the best methods
known of scientific agriculture by en-
ploying trained agricuiturists, or prscti
Ial in,
most approved methods OF farm practice,
to take to the farmer on his own farm the
information or knowledge that will en-
able him, the latter, to interpret and
adapt to his local conditions the best
methods of farming.
In plain terms, 1t will, as rapidly as
possible, place trained, practical man,
selected and directed by the respective
state agricultural colleges, permanently
in each agricultural county Of the United
States, and enables the farmer to become
master of his calling aided by the best
services the country can furnish, and sup
ported by federal and state funds.
According to the provisions Of the bill
there will be an appropriation beginning
at the rate Of lees than one cent per
capits, and will approximate three cents
per capita by the time the annual ap-
preparation shall have increased from
$500 200 per year, the starting point, to a
little over 5000, 600, when it reaches the
maximum. To have a clear idea OF the
distribution of these funds it must be
Understood that each state receiving its
10
equal amount for this purpose.
Most authorities have expressed the be-
lief that the operation of this plan will in
a few years increase the farm output at
least so per cent. That means an increase
of wealth per capita OF about $50 per
annum, and it adds to the country's
assets S4,5OO,0O0 in national resources.
two to three times the yield OF the Ameri-
can farms, notwithstanding their soil has
been producing for centuries more than
the lands have been cropped here.
In the Presidents opinion this prom
ises to be the most valuable constructive
legislation of recent years. Speaker Clark
says the mind cannot grasp the benefits
that should grow out OF this movement.
Majority Leader Underwood expresses the
belief that it will do more good to more
people than any other single enactment in
generation. II. II. Gross, OF Chicago,
president of the National soil fertility
league, says he has submitted this specific
plan to every agricultural college in the
land; there has been no adverse criticism
and about 50 per cent. have strongly en-
dorsed it; it has been approved by about
400 public bodies, sue has boards OF trade,
commercial associations, business mems
clubs, women's clubs, etc, and nearly
thousand influential newspapers have ex-
pressed willingness to support it.