Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-04-13

his Virginia plantation he nractced rotation OF
crops long before this basic principle OF scientific
agriculture was thought Of by a people who
were to build nation deeply rooted In the
products OF the soil. AS patron OF the I'M
provement of live stock In this country and the
introduction OF new fruits and vegetables he was
In constant communication with men interested
In these subjects, both In America and Europe.
Rotation of crops and other forms OF scientific
agriculture, however, are not the only things
for which the agriculture OF today Is indebted to
Thomas Jefferson When the farmer pows up
an old meadow, turning the sod over upon itself,
he can thank Thomas Jefferson the inventor.
For 1t was this man who invented the pillow mold
board which makes modern grassland blowing
possible. When the motorst folds down the top
of his car to get the full benefit OF the cool
breeze he can thank Jefferson for the invention
which makes 1t possible to do SO. When the desk
worker Tits back In his comfortable swivel chair
or swings around easily instead of getting up
and turning the chair, he should remember CRATE
fully the name Of Thomas Jefferson, for 1t was
this Virginian who invented the only improve
ment In seating devices since the time OF the
early Egyptians, In fact, all inventors should
look upon Jefferson as their patron saint. For
when man devlses something new and estab-
fishes In court his right to 1t against those who
would initiate 1t and profit thereby, he lis In
debted to Jefferson for laying down the principle
upon which the United States patent office lis
founded saas.4gr
No less interesting than Jefferson the scientist,
and the inventor is Jefferson the patron OF fine
arts He was keenly interested In literature and
was himself writer Of note He was musician
and an accomplished vonist. 1t s recorded
that when his early home, the house of his IA
Their at Shadwell. was burned In TITO, although
he lost all Of his books and papers. he rejoced
In the fact that his violin was saved by a negro
servant As an artist he expressed himself best
In architecture, and monuments to his architec-
tural taste are to be found today In the beau
tiful buildings OF Georgian style on the campus
OF the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
but more particularly on his estate nearby, the
famous Monticello
Such was the man whose birthday we cele-
brate on April 10. When Jefferson was approach
ing the end of his long and varied career, he
composed the epitaph. which he wished to have
inscribed upon his tomb. 1t read: Here was
buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declare
ton OF American Independence, of the Statute
OF Virginia for Religious Freedom, and the Fa-
Their OF the University of Virginia" II Jefferson
were to be remembered for nothing more than
those three things, his fame would be secure
But history has written these other achieve
ments under his name He was member OF the
Continental congress. 1775-76 and signer OF the
Declaration. In 1778 he was a member Of the
legislature OF Virginia and leader In impor-
tant legal reforms In ITO he was governor of
Virginia. In 1888 a member of congress from
1884 to 1880 he was United States minister to
France. he was the first secretary Of state serv-
Ing In Washlngton's cabinet 179094; he was Vice
Drncf
dent OF the United States, 1s01-1809. During
his Presidency he made the famous Louisiana
purchase from France which carried the Amer
lean flag In one giant leap from the Mississippi
to the summit OF the Rockies and paved the way
for the extension OF this country from sea to
sea.
20 BY Western Newspaper UnIon.)