The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-10-25
DOCTOR OF AGRICULTURE

-AS S-AAAS AZ SOAiAiiAS WhSd SNSiy 40 80
community of sufficient size will have
one or more agricultural experts---men
professionally trained to serve in an
advisory way all the farmers of the
community for fee. These men will
understand the chemistry of the soil, of
plant growth; their laboratories will be
busy with soil-analysis and the study of
local plant-diseases; they will be ento-
mologists and psychologists, and their
value will be obvious to the enlightened
farmers of new age. These farmers,
no longer content to depend on the free
clinic of the State experiment station,
will seek the advice and prescription of
the local doctor of agriculture. The
dignity and rewards of this profession
are bound to increase, foriit is founded
upon the basis of our greatest industry.
Worlds Work.
This is one of the things that the
proposed Crop Development League
is planning to bring to us. Its agri-
cultural advisor will be our doctor
of agriculture. His advice and as
sistance will be at the command of
every farmer. And more than that,
he will be our teacher, who will
bring to us the latest scientific know
ledge of farm methods and manage
ment.
Through the demonstration and
experiment farm which we hope may
be established, through institutes
and lectures, through personal visi-
tation and instruction, we shall learn
to perfect our product in quality and
increase it in quantity, in degree
that otherwise would be utterly be-
yond our reach. Experience else
where has shown this beyond a
doubt.
The day of intensive scientific
farming is upon us. The wasteful
methods of the past must be rele-
gated to the past. The farmer who
will win out is the one who lcNOzUS
hOzU. Many of us have come into
the valley from other professions or
callings with the idea that almost
anyone can run farm. We are
learning by sad experience that
farming under modern conditions is
science which we have yet to learn.
But zOe are not going to
Whine about 1t. We are
going to Iea7n hOzU," and
We are going to succeed. No
community that I have ever known
is so brainy, none more courageous,
none more resourceful, none has
more men who think for themselves
yet are willing to profit by the wis
dom of others.
Hence I believe we are ready to
boost the Crop Development League;
ready, if we can be shown how to
employ our doctor of agriculture
and equip him SO that he may rem
der us the most efficient service.
And we shall hope that he will teach
us to keep our farms and orchards
so well, in such prime icinb con, so
vigorous, strong, healthful and pro-
ductive that he may never need to
prescribe for them when they are
sick.
Prof. Thornber is said to recon-
mend pruning apple trees which are
in their fourth year from setting in
late September and October, that
the remaining wood may mature
more perfectly and the fruit buds
receive a more perfect development.
We note that some of our progressive
orchardists are following his advice.
An alfalfa country is or should be
a protita hle hog country, and I be-
lieve that hog raising is to become
one of our most profitable indus
tries. But do not get the notion,
that many seem to have, that hog
thrives in foulness, or that foul
hog yard is anything better than
public nuisance which should be
abated by the board of public health.
The approach of winter rains makes
this note timely.