Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-02-16
Demonstration Farms.

Editor LEADER, Dear Sir: | wish
to call your attention to a law that
was passed by our legislature last win
ter and desire to try to get you inter
ested in the proposition for the bene-
tit Of your county. Up to the pres
ent time our state has not been as
active in promoting the interests OF
better farming as some OF our sister
states and il is about time to inaug-
urate some such movement. The ob.
iect of this law is TO establish a SyS-
TEN Of demonstration farms, at least
the purpose of demonstrating the fact
that our farms will yield greater rela-
tive profits If operations are carried
on according to the latest scientific
principles The law referred to is
found under the head of "Demonstra-
tion Farm on page l55 of the SeS-
sion Laws Of 1911. The law is self
explanatory and needs only few
words OF extra comment. BY refer
ring to the same you will see that two
plans are outlined, one for counties
having county farms and the other
for those who are not so fortunate in
such matters. MY purpose in address
sing you at this time is TO ask you
to call the attention of the county
board to the matter and see if they
do not think that your county ought
to undertake the maintenance Of such
a farm and start in this year.
The question of the necessity for
such farms was the subject of discus
sion for most of one afternoon at the
recent meeting of the Conservation
Congress in Sioux Falls and the fol-
lowing is one OF the resolutions adopt
ed by the convention.
''TO impress the need of better
farming on the minds of all our peo-
pie, we recommend that DemOnstra-
tion Farms be established wherever
practicable where the improvement
OF grains and grasses and their imam
cial benefits may be clearly shown to
all We ask the farmers of each coun-
the subject. and impress upon their
respective boards of commissioners
the advantage of such farm and the
influence OF the same in each com
munity and urge the necessary appr0-
priation for the making of Demon
Slrati0n Farms out Of the county
farms"
The convention was a representa-
tive one, nearly every county in the
state sending delegates. Some coun-
ties have already taken the necessary
steps for the establishment OF such
farms. Something ought to be done
Immediately il the proposition is TO
be carried out this year. viii you
help make your county one Of the
leaders in this movement?
AS soon as the requisite number OF
counties organize for this work u
supervisor can be had by applying to
the Regents Of Education and there
is no reason why success cannot be
assured this year.
The states of Kansas, Iowa, NJ nne
sofa and North Dakota have eStab-
lished such farms and our state will
have to take action else we should
fall behind in the agricultural race
which is becoming so strenuous The
law is not as perfect as it might be,
but it is a starter. There is a good
basis TO work upon and the state au-
thorities may make more liberal pro-
visions for the carrying out OF this
movement in the near future. Priv
ate enterprise is already enlisted In
The movement in North Dakota, and
many demonstration farms are to be
established this year. 1t behooves us
to get busy and take advantage OF
our present law without fail.
If your county should act in this
matter it should report to the Regents
of Education who are to name the
supervisors. In case you desire any
further information in regard to the
law / shall be glad to furnish it, for |
am deeply interested in the Demon
stration Farm movement. | want to
see South Dakota getting into line
with the other states.
Yours truly,
r. F. KERR,