Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1914-03-27
THE AGRICULTURAL AGENT

ers should again be asked to employ county agriculture
al agent The vote strongly against the employment
of the county agent
In discussing the action of the voters Wheelock's
Wheekly. of Fergus Falls. able editorial says
'+At first thought the decisive throughout the
county against the employment of county agricultural
agent moves to regret, perhaps indignation.
that the farmers fail value it's proper height the OPP
portuny for improvement and increased profits which the
work of such agent sure give. Insofar as the
adverse vote prompted by lack of understanding the
silly idea that such expenditure will make higher
that the agent give the farmers nothing of value
such feelings fully justified There no reason in
such vote.
''There is however, another reason that has doubt
less prompted intelligent oppose the pro-
position laid before them by the county boardar obec
ton that has times been voiced in this paper by
number of its most up-todate correspondence namely
that the farming community being helped boards
of trade and commercial bodes the DID, old theory,
"beware the Greeks. when they come bearing gifts
Nevertheless, from any point of view, the reason
for opposing the county agent idea bad one He is
helper His position is merely advisory Nobody is COM
PEELED adopt bis suggeons Nobody need ever see or
employ him. who does not wish do so In every part
the state and county which he has been employed there
hS oeen quick ana oec return In casn prOncs from his
work In this county there are hundreds of farmers who
could and would profit largely by adopting his recommend.
atons 1t sheer seshness on the part of others not to
be willing to help these weaker ones In this county,
his employment would cost the farmers an average Of less
than 10c year apiece.
The employment of county agricultural agent is
Outgrowth of the modern idea of industrial and techni
cal education which has worked wonders in so many lines
The state university gives short course training to re-
tail merchants The printers have organized and engage
cost experts to help them intelligent estimating
of COSTS For many years the farmers have had courses
of training by farmers institutes paid the state The
teachers have training schools Even the learned
professions which supposed to get their preliminary
training by four FIVE years of study special depart
ments of the higher schools have and more during
the past quarter of century, turned to post graduate
work, and special studies in vacation time as means
of keeping themselves abreast of the advancing thought
and methods of the day
Farmers have much to learn those of any
other line of work They fewer opportunities home
than those of any other profession The science of
culture is standst It is developing faster than
any other science expect perhaps that of medicine No
alert farmer afford to sit still and the
go by him. He, too, must study, if he would make the
best returns from his land yet is hard for him to 90
away to study. The idea of bringing him in his own
banyard the best ideas and the advanced methods
who opposes the employment of an agricultural agent is
standing in his light, and still in the position
Of an INSTRUCTOR of the progress of Otter Tail