St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1916-01-22
enormous quantity of agricultural
literature. and distributes 1t free to.

enormous quantity of agricultural
and distributes it free to
the farmers, or whoms0ever may be
interested in that line. Experiment
stations, also, have been established
in different. portions of the country
to study the nature of the different
plants and the best methods OF cul-
|tivation. The state government is
also cooperating with the national
government; and even the small unit
OF the country government is COM
|tributing Its little share toward that
good cause. They hav6their coun-
ty or demonstration agents whose
duties are to assist, advise and in
|struct the farmers.
Farming was once looked upon by
the average man of the county as q
ldrudgery, a low, debasing occupa-
ton; but they have an entirely diff
ferent conception Of the occupation
today. "A modern farmer now is q
much respected man. The banker
and the merchant hunt him up, be-
cause he is progressive, and his in
come is good. Today, the city man
as well as the country man Is ready
to discuss the condition Of the crops,
and is anxious to see the season fav-
orable for productive crops. The
city guy" with all Of his polished
manners, and his sti6- bosom white
shirt no longer tries to make q clown
of his poor, rustic neighbor, for he
himself, very often. wishes he could
enjoy the same Independent attitude
that the old farmer does enjoy in
his daily routine Of life around the
home and around the .spoll." He is
not, as rule, obligated to follow
the dictates of his boss in politicall
matters, ETC., SO unpleasant to
good, honest man, so that he may
keep his job and provide for the
needs and comforts of his family
Yes, indeed, farmer possessing a
little home enjoys free and indie
pendent life, in the real sense of the
word, and his pursuit of life is such
that even king may envy.
| Just at this place let us stop to
consider the situation of the people
OF st. Tammany parish. A vast ma
jority of the people are public work
ers. There is considerably little3
farming practical in this parish, and |
consequently few people know any
thing about the occupation. The
main source of income in this parish
is from the timber industry. But az
We all know, the largest portion oil
the timber land II owned and con
trolled By great corporations, and
and they are moving" the trees
down Nike . moving machine mowsI
down hay crosses.
The day 70 In sight, and not far
distant, when all Of that timber will
b cut down and sawed INTO lumber,
laAd o1iDpod 20 foreign cour.~'e1.f
consequently whore andsvL Nd
those thousands Of public ".
lor timber men. 60 and do whea go
hard day Games! There will be nc
where else to go, for the other placeg
are necessarily and rapidly drifting
into the same hole. As Tar as I can
see there will be only one course t.
follow and that is farming. A great
many OF these people will laugh at
such an idea, but It is really AMI.
boldly staring us In the face. It i.
coming, It must come and It will
como. There IL NO doubt.
Therefore it is s'hiGh time, that
We begin to turn our minds toward
Agriculture, for we all must realized
that our cut-over pine land IL poorI
very deficient In the essentials for
crop production. It 10 not here Nkel
our river bottom land where the soul,
10 30 rich that It will never be de-
pleted Of all its fertility. Here vel
Will live largely upon what Ne applyI
into the soil. Consequently, to farm
properly and make q living reuuires|
some degree of skill and education
along the line. For, you know. farm
Ing is an art, and we can master the
general principles Of farming and
their applications only by practicins
1t. q
AS stated before. more attention
and general interest 10 being taken
IN the industry now than ever be-
fore. Agriculture is becoming one
OF the main branches in our public
school Curriculum. 5upa Lyon n
making great efforts to Introduce IL
into thu practical and elementary
forms in his rural schools. and ha
deserves great credit and cyl.;.Ytu1
!a'icns fcl his efforts and .oresigE.::
Tor the best and almost the only
way to bring forth any reform Of
great and lasting effect, is to train
ana instruct the growing generation.
am great believer In good farm
ing and heartily welcome It into our
school work, sincerely believing that
It Will have the desired effect. FOR
the reasons set forth In the above I
say that the future salvation OF st.
Iammany parish rest upon more ana
better farming.
Sincerely,
ERNEST G. LAFLEUR.