250 STA'i'K BOAKI) OF AGEICULTUIIE. 



TlIEOllY AND TRACTICE AS APPLIED TO FAKMING. 



In discussing this qiicstion Aveshull recognize theory and practice as insepara- 

 ble. No husbandman of tliought ^vill discard the one or tlic other. 



Practice is neccssiiry ahnnjs and true theory siiould never be cast aside. 



We say " true theory " because it conies to us in various forms. First: we 

 have a visionary kind which can never be relied upon, being speculative in its 

 nature and not practical. We see it on every hand ; ic appears in every form 

 and phase. 



Scarcely a person one meets, if interrogated upon a familiar cpiestion, but 

 has some theory to present, much of which is this visionary sort. Not that 

 they are desirous of advocating that which is untrue, but being ready to im- 

 part information at all times, their ideas, tiiough apparently logical — and 

 believed by themselves — often vary from those brought to light from a practical 

 application. 



Take any of our farm journals, scan their pages, and then attempt to 

 apply what is often taught and see what per cent is practical, and I venture to 

 say you will be astonished with the result. 



Now we do not wish to be understood as undervaluing our agricultural 

 journals, for we deem them of importance, and a necessary requisite to the 

 farm, but it is with reference to articles furnislied by those theoretical hob- 

 byists we speak, who are ever ready through the press and otherwise to force 

 their ideas upon the public, often taking subjects with which they have had. 

 no practical experience, devoting their entire energies and ingenuity to advo- 

 cating the same, and often, were the farmer to act in accordance with the 

 theory advanced, it Avould result in great damage to the stock or crops, as the 

 case might be. 



He has this to contend with at all times, and should he desire information 

 on any subject it requires a great amount of sorting and sifting to obtain what 

 he wishes; for if raising stock or crops, aj)plying fertilizers, etc., be the object 

 he knows he has to deal M'ith agencies whose laws are fixed and unvarying, 

 and to obtain just what he desires must understand, from practical experience, 

 what to expect should a certain course be followed. 



This class of theorists is not found among the illiterate alone, but quite as 

 often among those who are regarded as educators of this branch of science. 

 Constant study of some pet question leads them so far in a certain direction 

 that tlio theory, as a whole, becomes entirely impracticable to the farming 

 community. 



We have another class of theory which may be regarded as lying between the 

 false and true. 



It will often be found from practical experience, \^\)o\\ a small scale, that 

 certain kinds of business can be successfully engaged in which, if enlarged up- 

 on, proves a failure. 



For instance, some poultry fancier, with from twelve to twenty fowls of some 

 choice breed, linds that by certain care tiiey can be made profitable, and from 

 this standpoint reasons. lie shows up the capital invested, the feed required, 

 the expense of caring for same, etc., and linds on striking the balance that a 

 nice profit has been realized, and sees no reason why an extensive business can- 

 not be made profitable, and gives his advice as to the course to be followed. 

 Some cntiiu.siast catches at ti)e idea, and, without mature tliought and ;i thor- 

 ough investigation of the subject himself, he at once branches out and ut a 



