The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1913-05-15
The Better Farming Associa-
ton of North Dakota.

The Better Farming Association has
been formed largely through the as
sistance of the business interests and
the progressive farmers of the state to
aid in betterirg farm conditions. 1t is
incorporated for the purpose of dissem-
mating information on the subject of
modern scientific methods of agricul-
ture, the promotion of better and more
profitable cultivation of the soil, and
the production of livestock and poultry.
Its primary purpose is to build up the
agricultural industry and to increase
and make more profitable the farms of
the state.
The time is ripe for work of the char
acter undertaken by the association.
A method of farming has been followed
which was suited to pioneer conditions.
Systems of farming must now be de-
veloped based ON the maintenance of
the soil and higher land values. 1t is
generally recognized that system of
agriculture based upon the production
Of small grains will sooner or later fail.
The factors leading to failure are
many; weeds become agreater menace,
the soil begins to show the effect of
continuous cropping, lower yields be-
come common, the maintaining of a
sufficient labor force is more difficult
and all business IS performed on the
basis of sales once during the year.
Such practices eventually induce a
chain of economic ills from which the
country recoyers but slowly. Hence,
it is generally acknowledged that
changes in the agricultural methods Of
a state must be brought during the
period of it's prosperity, otherwise the
new methods of farming that are re-
quired to cope with the changed con-
ditions are built up but slowly. Prac-
tically all of the older agricultural
states have passed through this period
of depression and largely recovered
from it.
With the experience and agricultural
knowledge now in existence it is be-
lieved that it is unnecessary for our
newer states to undergo the expert
ences that have been passed through
by the older ones. A change in method
and practices may be induced rapidly
through education that would be
brought about slowly if dependent
upon purely economic forces. With
the present body of knowledge and
with the development of methods of
carrying education to the place where
needed, material assistance may be
given to the farmer who is preparing
to change from single crop system
to the production of livestock and
greater diversifcation. 1t is during
the transition period especially, that
there is the greatest need for know
ledge upon the cropping methods and
systems of farming which will ulti-
mately be followed.
1t has been found that one of the
best methods of inducing rapid changes
in the agriculture of country is by
the demonstration method. That is,
by demonstrating cropping systems,
care of livestock, or whatever subject
is under discussion directly upon the
farms with the farmers who are most
interested. By this method of work
the conditions under which the farmer
operates are met and the method either
proven of value or inadvisable.
Demonstration Method.
This is the method of work which is
adopted by the Better Farming Asso-
citation for carrying out to purposes of
the organization. 1t is based primar-
lily upon direct contact with the indi-
vidua). A number of practical, agri-
cultural]y trained men are employed to
get in touch with individuals wishing
assistance and to bring to them the re-
suit of research and the best experience
of practical farmers. The purpose is
to aid the farmer in applying and maxi
ing practical use Of this knowledge on
his own farm and under his own con-
ditions. A number of demonstration
fields, plats, especial work in the
methods of livestock production, and
other similar subjects are established
in as many localities as possible to
bring out locally the facts in regard to
them.
Agents of the Association are sta
toned in such counties and districts as
cooperate financially in carrying on
the work, and they are expected to as
sist as far as possible any individual in
the district who will make use of their
services. This method of education is
not new. 1t has been practically
worked out and carried on in parts of
the South and in certain European
countries and has proven one of the
most effective methods of bettering in.
dustrial conditions. Most farmers can
gain a great deal of light upon their
business, upon methods of tillage, cul-
tivation, the production of livestock,
and like subjects, by going over these
subjects with man who is competent
to tell of and show the new methods
and new thought on the subject in a
way that may be applied and adopted
on their own farms. 1t is not the OBJ
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