Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-03-22
THE BRYAN DAILY EAGLE


the conclusion that 1t is Of vital i'm
portsnce to the food resources Of the
United States that this form Of educa-
tion should be carried direct to the
farmers; that the lines OF production
and demand are rapidly approaching
each other and unless there Is
change in the methods of farming
there must soon be readjustment OF
the methods of living; that the appli-
cation of farm science" in European
countries and many sections Of this
country has demonstrated the high
percentage Of gain in production as
well as lowering the cost and at the
same time improving the soil and in
surfing the food supply of coming gen.
erations. 1t was agreed that the work
must be nationalized, that the farm
ers will welcome such enlightenment
and instruction, that the higher educa-
ton will add both profit and dignity
to the vocation and tend to keep the
younger generations on the farm, that
the industrial sciences and practices
have advanced hand in hand while
agricultural science has outrun the
methods OF farming; that the cost OF
bringing the results of research and
experiment direct to the farmer is a
mere bagatelle compared with bene-
fits. It would reduce the cost of living
on the one hand and increase the farm
ers' profit on the other, and is the
greatest single factor in the solution
OF the most serious problem Of the
country today, viz: How to make farm
ing more profitable for the man on
the farm, enriching country life, in
the farm home.
With the other speakers President
Howard H. Gross OF the National Soil
Fertility League expressed the opin-
ion that the measure under considera-
ton represented the greatest economic
question that has been before the
country in many years. He praised the
work of the department of agriculture
and strongly urged extension work by
the agricultural colleges and expert
ment stations, and contended that the
farmer is alive to a concrete fact and
Iimpervious to theory that is not
| demonstrated Hence, the necessity
| for personal contact instead OF the
long range methods now in vogue.
Mr. Gross illustrated the substantial
Increase of croppage in European
countries and in the United States,
showing that where direct demonstra-
tion plan was used the yield from soil
was greatly increased and the cost per
unit almost cut in two. He called at
tention to the greater demands Of the
American people, with constantly les
SEEMING production and asserted fatty
that there must be better farming or
we will be compelled in a few years
TO establish different living conditions.
According to Mr.. Gross, the American
farmer knows he is not getting the full
returns OF his labor and realizes that
science will help him, but he must
have that science brought to him in
such form that he can understand it.
The only way to do this successfully
is by individual instruction, demonstra-
ton and application. He regards the
agricultural college man as his guide,
philosopher and friend. With the ma
ton and the state working to this end.
as proposed by the pending legislation,
situation that seriously affects the
welfare of the people of the country,
In the factories, the shops, the cities
and towns, even as much as in the
agricultural communities, will be pro-
vided for in the best possible manner.
The measure is receiving careful
consideration and according to present
indications will become a law during
4
the present session. President Taft
and the leaders of both political par
ties are working together in full ac-
cord, all parties agree that this is
question that rises above politics and
one that should be dealt with as
business proposition. The proposed
demonstration plan will start in small
way and increase as men can be found
for the work. 1t may take ten years
before the plan is in complete opera
ton with full complement of COM
petent instructors, so that all farmers
may be served. 1t is big question and
must be handled in big way.