The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1916-01-14
4 PROGRESSIVE STEP.

Maury county COURT tVOA nuSeAaOA
long step forward when on Monday an
appropriation of $500 was made for the
employment Of county agricultural
demonstration agent. No one VIII
seriously contend that the farmers OF
this county are getting all out Of the
saii that they should, or taken as q
whole that they are farming accord
ing to the most approved and best
demonstrated methods. No one will
aeny that there is much waste, inef-
flciency and loss upon the great mai
GRITTY Of our farms. We do not get the
results to which our unsurpassed ma
fural resources entitle u.s. We are
not as prosperous on our farms prob
ably by half as we could be Il proper
nethods Of farming we're intelligently
applied.
The modern farmer who is making .
success OF his farm no longer sneers
ct book farming" He knows that
deep tillage. the application of lime.
proper drainage. the use Of more and
Aptter live stock, better cultivation
af his crops, all Of these things pay.
T,hey are demonstrated achievements
He knows too that there is as much
difference between modern agriculture
.as there is between the reaper hook
and the present binder. He knows
too that there are certain diseases
that in the past have played havoc
win certain OF his live stock that
nov, az the result of scientific investi-
cation can be prevented. He knows
that It has been proven that fifty or
..saRenty-five bushels OF corn to the
acre Is not the limit of possibility In
the making OF this crop. He mas
found out that his grass land, II he
would obtain the maximum returns,
must have care and attention as well
As his cultivating land. He knows
also that there is the wasteful and
anscientific way TO feed cattle while
ON the other hand there is mere
s.4aconmical and profitable way to pre-
pare them for the market.
1t may be objected that in employ
ing an agricultural agent the county
IL going far afeld from the old Jeffers
ssDnian idea that the people who are
hest governed are those who are least
governed. That was probably a
mighty fine theory when this country
was young, but its day is gone and
gone forever. We have come TO a
newer and better principle of govern
ment. That government best serves
its purpose which uses its every re-
source and energy to making a heal
sthier, happier, more sober and more
prosperous people, which exemplifies
In It's daily administration the divine
anjunction, cam my brothers keep
sr.' That government best meets its
aim and purpose in which leach mans
veal is every mans care"
We have long ago advanced to the
point where we cannot ignore the
manner in which our neighb0r uses
his God-given opportunities. The old
adea that because man had a fee
simple title to his land made him its
absolute king to do with it as he
pleased will not stand the test of the
white light Of twentieth century
Christian love and civilization. He
may have legal title In fee. but af-
ter all his title ends at the grave.
He has now no moral right, and please
God the day will soon come, when he
viii have no legal right to SO use his
land that II may be washed and
aeeched away and rendered useless SO
lar as the purposes Tor when the LII
vine Ruler created 1t are concerned.
That people are best serving their
Lord and Master. contributing most
to the advancement of His kingdom
An this world and tightening the bur.
sdens Of humanity, who are concerned
about those who are ignorant who
are helpless and who are in need OF
better guidance. Any movement
which will spread the golden strands
OF intelligence along the dark shores
OF ignorance, which win tighten and
make easier the burden of some strag-
cling outcast, which will bring great
or comfort to those who are In need
Of snccor, deserves and should have
the support Of every agency Of gov