The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-03-05

bushels to the acre. yet the average for the entire
crop is never increased
Is 1t likely that there is anything wrong with
the government figures? | do not think so. There
is much care given as is possible to insure
accuracy and dare say that many farmers, even
II they raise more than 80 bushels to the acre will
feel satisfied that the figures correct from his
knowledge of what the average yield is in his
district.
The farms titled by pretty good type of
farmer, on the whole, hard working and intelli-
gent The best that have been able to pro-
duce OF the true American, and for the most part
the best of the sturdy sons of the soil from many
foreign lands. We have q national department of
agriculture that has been the envy and the copy
OF the world, which is in farmers uni
versty and the sole aim and purpose of which has
been, and is, to make better farmers. For gen.
Grafton it has striven by study, expert
ment and printers ink lavishly disseminated, to
educate the farmer and bring him to a higher level
as an efficient tiller of the soil Through the work
OF its many professors it has presumably told the
farmer much about seeds and soils and methods
OF cultivation, and of protection from insect pests,
an Infinite variety of details about the vital facts
concerning his business, yet the result remains
the same, so far as corn Is concerned, year after
year-30 bushels to the acre.
In almost every state in the Union there is now,
and has long been, an agricultural experiment
tion, working in cooperation with the federal de-
pdIlHleHJ Oh agriculture ana mana In mana WlIn
the farmers of the state, to educate him. The sta
tions equipped with professors and experts.
many of them of the highest authority in the land,
vast tracts are under experimental cultivation,
they have been planning, working testing soils
and seeds, fertilizers to aid the farmer in the eX-
ercse Of economy and the growing of better crops.
The net results of their abors they constantly
disseminating by means of lectures, correspond
and bulletins, free for all who would profit
by such-yet the net result after all these years
is average of 30 bushels to the for
The agricultural colleges have gone even farther
than this In many instances they have not been
content to work and lecture and print the results
of their labors for the benefit of progressive farm
ers; they have been militant in their work, have
instituted campaigns of education by sending out
some of the professors special trains, right in
the heart of farming districts, and giving the
farmer heart to heart talks and object lessons in
better farming methods; telling him about soils,
methods of cultivation, seed selection inviting
him freely to ask questions to the end that he
may become more enthusiastic worker and raise
better crops. Although this has been going
for years and beyond question many have protited
by it, yet the average yield of corn the past year
was just the same-30 bushels.
Is 1t possible that the present type of farmer
has reached the limit of his capacity to improve?
1t may be At any rate, besides all this there is
agricultural press, of vast proportions through
out the states, working TO educate the farmer and
keep him posted everything that may be of
help to him in his business. Many farmers take
several such publications. Then again, the tools
that available to the farmer for his work
far superior to what they have been in the past.
and improved every year. Is il possible that
the farmer is not class taking advantage OF
the best tools for his work?
What is the first thing to be done in the growing
of better crops? think, in seed selection.
There is nothing startling original in this ad-
NIT; 1t is the doctrine that has long been preached
but would simply add my testimony from the
suits of my experiments with the hope that il may
lead others to try along the same lines. There is
nothing difficult about t. there is certainly nothing
costly; amounts to simply little more thorough
and intelligent heart interest in ones labor
Tossecure a corn that will yield tenfod what he
has been accustomed to gettipg the farmer must
breed FOR results fIe iias got 20 improve the corn
in the same way that he would raise the standard
of his stock or his nocks. And once he has secured
a type OF corn that shows increased productive
ness. he must try to keep IL pure. avoid inbreed-
ing and maintain its stamina, with the same
watchfulness and care that all breeding demands.
II does not require a scientific education to
grow and better corn. or better crops of any
kind. II does require brains One OF the first
things to be done is TO get out of the slipshod
ways of working. Corn, especially. is one OF the
most abused crops Of the farm. Because 1t will