The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-31
President Snyder's Address.

Prof. j. J.. Snyder, president of the
Michigan Agricultural college, ad-
dressed the evening session of the
Shfawassee County Farmers insti-
tute, at the Congregations church on
tuesday evening, and delivered a
strong argument in favor of the en-
ployment of an agricultural expert
for this community. There was a fair
attendance at the meeting, including
many Owosso people, and strict at
tentlon was paid to Prof. Snyders ev-
cry statement.
While outlining the many desir-
able things than an expert can accom-
pl!sh in a farming district, the speak
er laid particular stress upon the fact
that too much must not be expected
from him. He declared that it will
take a considerable length of time for
the expert to become acquainted with
the varying conditions in the district
assigned to him, but that in 10 years,
he can accomplish wonders, in max
ing farming district one of the rich
est and the most productive possible.
He spoke in part as follows:
The expert would represent the
farmers in his district. 1t would be
his business not to have necessarily,
but to secure the best possible infor-
nation for the farmer who is trying
TO solve an agricultural problem.
He must study conditions. / am con-
vipced that there are districts right
in this county. and plenty of them,
that are not now having the type OF
farming that should be followed.
The expert must secure data on these
conditions. 1t is almost certain that
he. will find places where farmers are
raising hay where they should have a
dairy; where they are raising corn or
wheat, where they should be fruit,
etc. 1t is his duty to discover and
bring about these changes.
fBut things have got to come slow
ly. He will, if he is a good man, and
he shouldn't be sent out unless he is,
do little here and a little there. He
can pick out good farmer and make
him a model in the community. The
resultant increase in profits would be
tremendous.
1T is difficult, on the other hand,
to determine Just what his work will
be, He cannot come in here and
commence giving advice. No one is
going to stand for that. He must
work out the farmers problems in
sympathy with them.
"The principal danger in this di-
rection, however ib that people will
expect too much of him. Too mucn
stress must not be laid on his great
ability. 1t Is fact that could pick
out one of the pest farmers in the
community, and let him give his
whole time to the work, and he will
more than earn his salary. A train
ed man will get at it from an eco
nomic standpoint. In ten or fifteen
years, his value would be incalcul-
able. l cannot prove it, any more
than l can prove mat sending chill
dren to school for ten years will make
them far superior to children who
have no education.
But you must not expect too
much, nor expect results too rapidly.
The spectacular man, who does ev-
erything possible to make good, is
not always ge. ing the best results.
But results will come and soon The
best work will come from plans that
are formulated and executed slowly.
Il am not here to boom any pro-
ject," the speaker continued, "but 1
want to say that am heartily In IA
vor of the expert plan. The college,
too, is willing to help this or any 9TH
er community, where assistance is
needed in the solving of problems.
We will gladly help you solve your
problems If we can. If it Is neces-
sary, we will send a man or two here,
and the college will stand back OF
them. ] am sure that the results will
justify the enorts of everyone con-
cerned."
The sessions of the institute were
resumed Wednesday morning. There
was a good attendance at the meet
ing Tuesday forenoon and afternoon.