Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-01-18
SATURDAY. JANUARY 18, 1913.
A Greeting from Fort Hays.


who despite Improbable labor result
ing from climatic irregularities, or
the outcome of unframed efforts
toward success in agricultural pur-
suits, have continued the mutual
warfare with the. farm problems of
our region, the Fort III avs experiment.
Station extends cordial greetings for
the New Year.
The first decade in the history of
this institution is just concluded and
a new era is being launched from the
experience of the first pioneer years.
Mistakes have been made. Expecta
tions have not been fully realized
Officials have frequently changed.
Nor has the experiment Station de-
monstrated from opinions now cur
rent, the fullest co-oreration essen
tial to the larger interests of all who
should benefit by its work. This has
not been the fault of the manage
ment nor of the people whom its
work should serve. Rather has it
been the result of insufficient or real
contact: the Station with the wants
of the farmer and the farmer with
the facilities afforded at Hays for the
problems both desire solving. This
state of affairs should be the immedi-
ate concern of every industrious
builder in our western empire. The
two agencies most potent to bring a.
bout a thorough knowledge of mutual
opportunities are correspondence and
personal observation.
The problems of successful farming
under the prevailing irregularities of
climate of western Kansas is now of
such proportions that it should hardly
be expected of the work of the Ex-
pertinent Station, during its first ten
years, to unquestionably establish per-
feet methods. Too many factors are
involved, some of them uncomfortable.
1t is apparent that the work accom-
plisned in the pioneering years have
taught many farm men the advan-
tages of improved seed; thorough
farming of limited areas rather than
haphaZard management of numerous
acres: the important asset of live
stock as a necessary feature of success
full farm operation; and the economic
adjustment of the harvest of bounte-
Gus years TO tide over the disaster of
the sea of drouth.
These, and other lessons of minor
detail, are part of the results sent
forth during the decade the Hays
Branch Station is just concluding; in
which period, also, it was converting
$500 acres of virgin prairie and bottom
into an educational institution, es
tablishing thereon equipment for the
investigation of those problems, the
successful solution of which is essen
tial to the well being of vast popu
lation now inhabiting, and to inhabit
the Great Plains Region.
This is a work-not alone for one
man nor a corps of men engaged il
an official capacity at the Station
but for the cooperation of these, as
leaders, with all observing worker.
in actual contact with the condition
of their farms, its work and develop
ment. To accomplish this, united
effort both by letter and in person
should be the idea of mutual support
The Board of Regents has recentl,
again urged this and local authorize
wish to extend the scope of the Sta
tion's facilities.
The Fort Hays Station announce
the appointment Of new manage
who takes charge at the threshold O
of the second decade of its history
This official having served for eigh
years in a minor capacity at Hays
has had opportunity to observe tn
development of the institution, real
ize its struggle with problems new t
its officers, and noted the handicap c
= of insufficient facilities for the mos
thorough accomplishment of hope
for results. However, it is not alon
the management or the mind of on
man which is here intended to serv
the western people. A staff of worl
ers is maintained, each to assist in
division OF the work in progress, an
with especial training in the depart
ment of agriculture their work sus
gests. Back of this staff there is avail
able the entire corps of instructor
at the State Agricultural College, lie
by the newly appointed director a
Manhattan who is broad in experienc
and conversant with dry farmin
problems.
To make this source of experienc
and labor yours must largely descen
upon your own desire and initiativ,
The new Superintendent promise
the heartieSt cooperation towar