AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHER 



THE successful teacher of agriculture has in mind the transfer 

 of what he teaches into actual practice. His ultimate aim is not 

 so much to present information about farming as it is to con- 

 tribute something toward better and more profitable farming, 

 the essential basis for a better and more attractive rural life. With 

 such an aim his problem is by no means an easy one. "Profitable 

 farming," says former Secretary Meredith of the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, "depends upon three things: ample 

 production, minimum cost, and adequate prices." - Referring 

 to production he says: 



"Ample production at minimum cost involves more efficient 

 methods and economical operations. Factors in this are better 

 utilization of the soil, more intelligent use of fertilizers, the use 

 of better seed, the growing of more productive strains and varieties, 

 better methods of preventing soil erosion, more effective methods 

 of combating insect pests, plant and animal diseases, the produc- 

 tion of more and better grades of live stock, better utilization 

 of forage and roughage and waste materials on the farms, better 

 maintenance of soil fertility by conserving soil moisture and ma- 

 nure, and a greater use of legumes in rotations and as companion 

 or intertilled crops; the greater use of machinery and practical 

 mechanical power on farms. 



"The problem of securing for the farmer prices which will 

 enable him to maintain production is a more difficult one. At- 

 tention must be given to better and more economical methods of 

 grading, storing, marketing, and distributing farm products." 



To these factors two others may be added: that of management 

 which is necessary to correlate the various farm enterprises into 

 a well-planned system; and that of adequate business accounting 

 which must accompany efficient management. 



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