Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-17
ON AN EXCELLENT BASIS.

When the board OF county cOmmis-
sloners failed to appropriate money
for the continuance of the work of
the Better Farming association in this
county. and when, later. O. ID. Center,
under whose supervision the work had
been so successful, withdrew to take
permanent position elsewhere, many
people were inclined to take a gloomy
view Of the situation. and to take it
for granted that this work was about
TO be abandoned. and that Grand
Forks county. after having made very
backward.
The Herald never shared this opin-
ion. 1t has felt confident of two
things, first, that organized work for
the promotion of the best possible
farming methods would he continued
in some form or other; second, that
even if there should he no formal or
ganization TO carry on the work, the
effect Of what had already been done
would be manifested in continuou.
and permanent work along the right
line.
The soundness Of this opinion has
been abundantly demonstrated during
the past few weeks. The farmers OF
the county, recognizing the value of
this work. have organized themselves
into an association for the purpose
Of carrying it on. They, and many of
the business men living in the cities
and villages who have associated
themselves with them, have employed
a capable county agent whose duty it
will be to look after the numerous
details which need attention, to collect
and place in available form for the
use of all who desire it, all available
information which can be of value to
the agricultural interests of the coun-
ty.
The selection Of Mr.. Olson for this
position is universally regarded as a
fortunate one. Mr.. Olson has worked
along this line in the northern part
Of Grand Forks county under the di-
rection of Mr.. Center who found him
a capable and valuable assistant He
is practical farmer and has devoted
a great deal of time to the study Of
special farm topics, such as dairying,
stock raising, and so on, this work
having been under the best auspices
and with recognized experts in these
lines.
The Better Farming movement, as
it was inaugurated and carried on
here for time, was worthy work,
splendidly conceived. and one which
has been of inestimable value. But
in the form in which it was started it
was but beginning and an expert
ment. 1t has paved the way for what
we now have in Grand Forks coun-
ty, farmers movement. planned and
carried out by the farmers them
selves. a farmers association officer
ed and directed by men who make
their living on the farms, and who
know better than any one else the
needs OF the farmer. In it's present
form in this county the association
will have the advantage of being able
to draw freely and impartially on all
sources Of information and experience,
for it is not established in rivalry of
anything else. nor does it seek to out
class or overshadow anything else.
When information and advice are
needed those in control will feel per-
fectly free to go to any one who has
it. whether a, railroad demonstration
supervisor, the director of experiments
for great manufacturing corpora
ton, the Agricultural College, or
any one else. The movement
rests on a solid foundation, and it
cannot fail to succeed.