CULTURE FROM THE CORN LOT 67 



the particular mode of life that now appeals to 

 him will yield the greatest possible measure of 

 growth. He must consult his tastes, his talents, 

 his opportunities, his training. And the test 

 question is, Will this line of work yield me the 

 growth, the culture, I desire ? 



But what are the elements that yield culture, 

 to an individual ? Using culture in a very broad 

 sense as a synonym for growth, we may say that 

 the things contributing most to the culture of 

 the average person are his work, his leisure, and 

 his service to others. We may now try to answer 

 the question we started with, as it presents itself 

 to many a student in the agricultural colleges of 

 our country. Will agriculture as a business, 

 will the farm life and environment, contribute 

 to the growth which I desire for myself ? Can 

 I extract culture from the corn lot ? 



Let us first see if the work or vocation of 

 farming gives culture. My answer would -be 

 that there is scarcely an occupation to be named 

 that requires broader knowledge, more accurate 

 observation, or the exercise of better judgment 

 than does modern farming. The farmer deals 

 with the application of many sciences. He must 

 be an alert business man. He requires execu 

 tive talent of no mean order. The study of his 



