The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-08-17

traised experts are maintained both
by the state and nation. The var
ious problems pertaining to the
gated and careful experiments con-
Quoted, and each problem is worked
out to a satisfactory conclusion.
The data compiled from these ex-
periments and Investigations are
published in bulletins and in the
agricultural press
But this method of distributing
knowledge of incauculable value has
not been entirely satisfactory. Men
trained in the work of collecting
and distributing the facts regard
Ing those methods and practices that
bring the most satisfactory results
can carry this knowledge to the
farmer by word of mouth more con.
vincingly than any printed page.
1T has been found that when any
group OF farmers can be brought to-
gether to discuss the various prob
lens relating to their business that
everyone present is able to gather
some facts of value to themselves.
"At present am the Agricul-
turist of the Union Pacific System,
and have been for more than thirty
years engaged in the work of col
lecting an distributing facts regard
ing the best methods of soil culti-
walton, animal and plant breeding,
feeding and caring for livestock, and
the various problems pertaining to
farm life.
II was born in Ohio in 1S45, and
am veteran of hte Civil war, hay
ing served in the Eleventh Michi-
gan infantry in July of 1851 and
served till the close of the war. 1t
was in 1884 that l began lecturing
in farmers institutes throughout
the country.
Farm home-making has been
my hobby for all these years. / have
talked cows and corn, pigs and
poultry, fruit and vegetables, trees,
grass and flowers, because when
ever l found these I found the best
homes, the most contented, pros
porous, healthy and happy men, wo-
men and children.
1.-THE problem of improving coun-
try life is not "A new one with me.
1 have studied 1t for more than for
ty years. During this period, both
experience and observation justi-
fled the conclusion that the owner
OF small farm who places home
before money getting is
nearly always successful; also that
the real home maker is more often
found on a small farm than large
one. The conditions of living, the
home comforts, the net returns In
food, shelter. clothing, rest re-
creation and social enjoyment for
labor and thought invested.
are as a rule much greater on the
small farm than on the large ones.
Compared with the life of the
wage Garner in the city, the oppor-
tunities and advantages of the small
farmer are in every way preferable.
The same amount of labor will fur
nish so much better house, better
food, better air and more agreeable
He does not have
to obey the orders of the boss. nor
the rules of the union. He is not
afraid of losing his job. His eggs
are fresh. milk unskimmed. vege-
tables and fruit fresh from the tree
Or vine. If he Is not ambitious for
wealth, does not venture on some
scheme to get rich quickly he can
be Independent of business condi.
tions, financial crisis or other fac
tors that vex the average wage
1.-THE work of education toward
better farming methods is for the
purpose of multiplying such farm
homes. This will develop the re
sources of the country much NOR,
certaily than exploiting the phen
omenal accomplishment of some ex
pert with some special crop on som,
rare occasion.
"The average man is much NOR
than the specialist. TIL
methods that produce the best re
suits with the average man ar
those that are most reliable unde
average conditions. The history
agriculture for 800 years demon
strates that these are corn. clover
cows, pigs. chickens, stable manure
brains and hard work--a combin
alton that wins 80 times out OF 10(
losing only when one OF the factor
loe