The Coolidge examiner., 1938-04-21
The New Era In American
Agriculture
BY JOHN SELLERS

are only a few of the many changes
and examples we might name of
the great development of machinery
in agriculture. Even the airplane is
now being used to protect extens-
i've cotton fields and orchards from
insects by scattering poison dusts
at critical times.
Other developments have great
ly aided agriculture. For instance,
ice making and cold storage have
enabled the farmer to deliver per-
ishab,e products quickly and to
store them safely. Dehydration, ev-
aporation, and canning have broad
ened the market for fruits, vege-
tables and meats. Sizing and grad
ing have largely standardized pro
ducts in the market. The manu-
facture of Gull fruits into jams and
jellies have reduced waste.
The development of great pack
ing establishments has made posi-
BILE the use of every part of the ami
NAL body. Meat for food, fat for
soap, hide for leather, hair for
brushes, etc. You have all heard
the saying, no doubt, the packers
use every part of the pig but his
squeal. AS a result of this utiliza-
ton prices for stock are higher
and more stable.
The science has accomplished
wonders in breeding also. Both the
plants and animals of modern farms
are different from those of early
days. From a few wild grasses,
plants and trees, man has obtain
ed all his valuable cereals, vege-
tables and fruits.
Animal breeding has brought
about vast improvements in a com
paratively short time Horses are
now bred either for speed or draft
purposes. Cattle for beef or milk
production The improved dairy
COW will give Is times as much
milk as the scrub cow The farmer
is feeding hogs that will produce
many times as much bacon and
lard as the wild hog. Hens belong
ing to the best laying breeds pro-
duce an average of $50 eggs a year
and prize winners have produced
as high as $50 eggs, although the
wild fowl would lay only II or 13
per year
Agricultural chemistry tells us
what plant foods are present II
soils and what kind Of fertilizers
should be used.
Veterinary science has reduced
the disease among farm animals.
A study of plant disease has cut
down loss from blights, rusts, smuts
and other diseases.
Our national and state govern
ments recognize the Importance of
the agricultural industry. In addi-
ton to national department of Ag
riculture, experiment stations and
agricultural colleges have been es
tablished in every state in the I'm
ion to work for better farming.
Many counties have county agents
who go directly to the farmer at
his request, and agriculture is
taught in the public school,
Along with the new era of agri-
cu,ture, we have the new farmer.
The new farmer is no longer 4
careless and ignorant hoe-man, The
successful farmer is not the one
with the strongest back. A gorilla
has a pretty strong back but can
not farm. The new farmer needs
something above the ears as well
as the business man. The farmer
does not laugh at the idea of going
to school to lear to farm as he did
few years ago. He rides in auto
mobiles, enjoys such modern con-
veniences as the radio, telephone,
and daily mail His family enjoys
many of the social and educational
advantages of his city friends.
Such is the New Era of Agri-
culture. May we as Future Farm
ers make the most of it. Thank you