Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-03-03

With the sons succeeding the fathers on
the farm and all things working together
for the whole. this community is host and
and hostess to this annual gathering of
about 300 men. the ladies and mothers
contributing their own products Of farm
and serving annually bounteous repast-
this is some measure Of their worth and
service to county and State.
M. B. MONTGOMERY.
Mr.. President and gentlemen Of the con-
vention:
1t is both an honor and a privilege to
have place on the program of this con-
vention. and I assure you that / heartily
appreciate it.
The farmers clubs. Of which this con-
vention is composed, have a most enviable
history, and the members of those clubs
can look back over the past with justifable
pride. Not only have those clubs made
considerable contributions toward the fuller
development Of the community. but. bet
ter still, they have demonstrated the value
Of farmers clubs to every community.
And know Of no more fitting way to
celebrate Washinston's birthday than by
holding just such meetings as this. 1t is
true that it was as a soldier that Wash
ington earned his reputation. II is true
that II was as a statesman that he added
to that reputation its crown of glory. But
1t is also true that. first and last, Wash
ington was farmer. a tiller and lover
Of the soil He not only preached the
sound doctrine that agriculture is one of
the noblest Of occupations, but whenever
1t was possible for him to free himself
from the demands Of public duty. he active
ly engaged in that occupation. And be-
lieve that IL to-day he could but speak. he
would voice his appreciation. not so much
Of the plaudits Of cheering regiments of
soldiers. not so much Of resolutions Of re-
spect passed in halls Of Congress. as Of
the simple tributes paid to his memory by
companies of farmers like this. met to-
sether to discuss ways and means for ad-
vancing the interests of agriculture, inter-
ests which he ever had very much at
heart. and with which he was ever very
closely allied
read the other day that the County
Agents work was to 90 about among the
farmers telling them how to make two
blades Of grass grow where only one grew
before. ! fear that to do so would be a
doubtful benefit. More profitable farming
is not based solely. nor even chiefly, on
increased production. To lower the cost
OF production on what we now produce is
Of more Importance than securing LARGER
yields. Besides, methods of distribution
and marketing are frequently the limiting
factors Of our success. whether we produce
much or little. And the distributing and
marketing problems are big problems, too
big for any one man or any one class Of
men to solve, and the solution Of which
will require considerable time, and more
than considerable cooperation.
Do not expect the impossible nor the
unreasonable Of the County Agent. He
carries no magician's wand by which he
can transform a poor farm into a profit
ably productive one. He knows Of nc
formula Of words by which to change, by
some mystic process Of instantaneous con.
version, poor farmer into a good one
So far as he knows there are no aericul.
tural Billy Sundays. Soil improvement
like human education. is slow and tediou,
process, requiring good judgment, SOUND
sense. plenty Of patience. and the use Of
well-tried and clearly proven methods
The encouraging thing about IL is, it car
be done. and it is mighty well worth while
to do it,
One Of the County Agents first duties i.
to assist the farmer to a clearer under
standing Of the principles that govern il
nature, and then suggest to him how thos,
principles can be applied on his own farm
Our Agricultural Department and Expert
ment Stations have spent in round mum
bers quarter Of billion dollars in dis
covering these principles and in testing
practical methods for applying them il
the work Of the farm. As farmers we hav,
paid our share, and more. of this enormous
bill, either by direct or indirect taxation
This mass OF practical information, O
proven successful methods, is already our
by right of purchase. The County Agen
movement is but demand on the part o
the farmers for what belongs to them
The Government tried to put the results o.
its investigations and experiments int,
tangible form for the farmer by way O
bulletins, institute lectures and agriculture
trains While these did a world of good
they were not altogether successful. Then
came the idea Of demonstrating the bette
methods on every mans farm, under hi
own peculiar conditions, and where h,
could see and judge of the results himself
For nearly ten years the movement ha
been spreading throughout the country
with undreamed Of success This is tn,
fifth year since II was introduced into ou
own State. As yet it has taken no back.
ward step. 1t works, and it works simpl,
because its scope is bounded only by tn,
lines OF practical helpfulness.