Putnam patriot., 1915-05-21

day, II nothing else were done, II
would be some years before each indi-
vidual farmer could be reached on his
farm.
The work of these agents is varied,
Large business concerns employ ef-
ficiency men TO look after special
BRANCHES of their business. These
men are trained specialists in the man
ufacture and distribution of their pro-
ducts.
No one farmer could employ such a
man but group can collectively Sc
cure the services of a man, or men,
who can accomplish just this.
Through these agents farmers secure
the teachings of the agricultural col
lege, the latest results of the work of
the Experiment Station, the United
States Department of Agriculture, and
the helps from all other agencies, and
they bring these direct TO farmers in
demonstrations which they can see
and in methods which they can use
These agents make study of the
needs of the county, the adaptaoiIity
of different localities TO certain crops
or specialized lines of farming. They
try to find out through the people
themselves what their needs are, and
then try to meet these needs by bring
ing the Information from available
sources.
These agents demonstrate the most
approved agricultural methods and
farm practices. Being in intimate
touch with local conditions they dis
cover why certain things have failed
on some farms and succeeded on others,
give publicity to the successful
method, and try to supplant the poor
er way with the better.
A part of an agents work is to give
advice to those who ask for it on crop
ping systems, fertilizers, lining, farm
management, dairy breeding and feed
ing, orchard management, care of
poultry, and in fact nearly every line
of farming. Some of these lines, such
as pruning or spraying, may be COM
paratively easy, but it must be realized
that others are far more complex and
require very careful consideration.
But an agents work is much broad
er than simply the productive side Of
farming. He should stimulate inter
est in, and assist In organizing cooper
alive societies for the purchase of fer
tilizers, feeds, lime, etc., and for the
sale of farm products. He should
keep farmers informed as to the pre-
vaiing prices of the above commodi-
ties and others, the state OF the mar
kets so far as the information is avail
able, and other matters pertaining TO
farm business.
The county agent should arrange a
large number of demonstration plots
on farms, or demonstration tests in
diaries, poultry plants, orchards, ETC.
The whole neighborhood could then
see the good or bad results ,of these
methods. He should help to arrange
farmers institutes, and other meet
ings. He should arouse interest in
boys and girls clubs, crop contests,
and other competitions.
He should help promote the organi-
cation of dairy improvement associa-
lions, fruit growing societies, poultry
clubs, societies for the prevention of
hog cholera, and other similar organi-
cations which have for their purpose
the building up of specialized indus
tries.
1t is impossible to enumerate all
lines of work which may fall to a
county agent to do. When he can not
furnish the Information himself he
should apply TO the state agencies, such
as the Agricultural College, state
Board of Agriculture, Highway Conn
mission, Commission on Public
Health, Free Public Library Commits
sion, Federation of Churches, Massa.
chusetts Civic League, State Forester,
etc, or to the several bureaus of the
United States Department Of Agricul-
ture at Washington.
The position Of county agent is no
small sob" 1t requires persons of
large calibre and broad vision. No
one person can answer all questions
that may be asked, but he should
know where this information can be
secured and then 'get'' it. The Farm
Bureau aud the county agents thus be-
come clearing houses or "Rural
Chambers of Commerce through
which the business Of a county may be
transacted.
This is not plea from the county
agent for more work because Of a lack
of jobs. He has more work now than
one man should be required to do.
Such work as a county agent is called
upon to do must, especially in a new
county, be taken up in the order in
which the applications for it are re-
ceived. This is just reminder to
those who are holding back that few
are getting the benefits of what all are
helping to pay for. IT is plea for the
Windham county farmers TO wake up
and get their share Of their own.