Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-04-14
SMITH REPLIES TO
ARTICLE BY LEWIS
LOCAL FARMER TAKES EXCEP.
TION no CRITICISM BY STATE
COLLEGE GRADUATE.
Editor Washington Standard:

EOltOT WdSHAA6IOn OloAudTu.
In your issue of March 81 I no.
ticed an article written by Lee c.
Lewis, son of Fred w. Lewis of
Brighton Park, and graduate of the
agricultural department of the
Washington State College, at pres
ent engaged as tester for a cow
testing association in the Walla
Walla district.
He introduces his remarks by
modestly saying that he is against
newspaper controversies, but thinks
my article in your issue of March 8
was very sarcastic, and some of the
impressions may have conveyed
should be corrected, and then the
aforesaid young man proceeds at
once to storm the fort with insinuat-
ing personalities "a form of discus
sion which abhor.) He would carry
the impression that + am a ne'erdo-
we'll, that l do not apply business
principles in my farming, and that
am very much disgruntled with
present conditions.
Now, had he given my article a
second reading, I think he would
have discovered that had no
crouch with the merchant or the
markets, but was simply after the
fellow who was whimpering about
these things. And as to my business
principles in farming, or my success
in life, make no boast. but as to my
little farm. farm buildings, pumping
plant and irrigation system, I think
they will compare favorably with my
neighbors. and they are paid for and
that, too. with honest toll. Il
Raps State College.
AS for this young man, Lee C..
Lewis, would say that. he 10 bright
young fellow. who took advantage Of
the state agricultural school and,
have no doubt. graduated with high
honors. But, notice that he is not
farming, no, not to mention. He,
like 30 many others who graduate
from these institutions. find 1t more
c0ngenial and far more remunera-
tive to follow other vocations. Farm
er c. L. Smith. in his article on "Evo-
luton Of Agricultural Education"
says that the so-called colleges Of
agriculture in former years turned
out teachers, preachers, merchants.
bankers and odd job men, but very
few farmers. and ! wish to add that
the statement holds good in very
large degree today.
No, Mr.. Lewis 10 not farmer. He
10 but boy, chuck full Of theories.
but some of US older ones have long
since learned that there is q decided
difference between the theoretical
and the practical as applied In the
hard battle Of life. And before dis
pensing too much information he
might do we'll to "tarry' at Jericho
till his beard IL grown"
He ventures the belief that money
can be made in dairying in Thurston
county, but this IL simply his opinion,
without any experience whatever to
support his convictions. Now. allow
me to present the testimony of one Of
mature years and wide experience IN
the dairy business of Thurston coun-
ty. Mr.. L. L. Snow, master Of Pomona
Grange. who, in conversation with
me but few days since, made this
statement:
There is nothing in cows. have
sold my stock and will give my at
tention to chickens.", And, ! might
add right here. that Mr.. Snow had
recently put in silos and given the
matter his best and honest effort
This dairy was kept for the sale OF
butterfat, and not whole milk, skim
milk. or town pump.
Notice, II you please, the profit on
high grade cows that Mr.. Lewis was
testing: $2.O3 per month. and that,
too, on his own quotations of hay
80 and grain $6 per ton lower than
the price which obtained in Thurston
county for that time. In my previous
article simply cautioned the farmer
to 60 slow and produce his own feed.
and this was also the advice given by
Farmer Smith when lecturing in
Olympia.
But Of course we always here this
from the booster: "Be careful now,
you might frighten away some pros
pective settler" Away with this de-
ception-we are tired Of it. Give the
people the truth; tell them Of our
Continued on Page 81