SHALL I BE A FARMER? 3 



all the other new and expensive machines call for mechan- 

 ical ability if they are to be used efficiently. There is 

 something to farming besides taking a pleasure drive 

 with a team of fine horses on one of these machines. A 

 little carelessness or inexperience may cause a loss of more 

 than a month's wages. Occasionally a farmer can de- 

 pend on hired men for this mechanical ability, but usually 

 he must not only be the mechanic, but must instruct the 

 men and guard against their carelessness. There are 

 still some kinds of farming in which machinery is little 

 used, but more and more the farmer-mechanic with his 

 machine is replacing the hand laborer. 



3. The farmer as a naturalist. The farmer has 

 ever been a naturalist. He used to conspire with the 

 moon and the almanac to coax nature to yield a bounti- 

 ful harvest. But he has always had many good ideas 

 on plant and animal growth, gained from his intimate 

 companionship with his crops and stock. The farmer 

 must always be a naturalist. The great fund of knowl- 

 edge that has been acquired by the many generations of 

 farmers is now being organized on a scientific basis, and 

 some new knowledge is being added by investigation, so 

 that we are coming to have a large body of knowledge 

 about crop growth and animal feeding and breeding. 

 The farmer is not now entirely dependent upon the 

 experience of his community. He may learn from the 

 experiences in other states and countries and from scien- 

 tific investigation. If a farmer is to compete with his 

 neighbors, he must study the science of plant and animal 

 production. If he takes a keen delight in watching crops 

 and animals thrive, it will add much to his pleasure, and, 

 if tempered with good judgment, will go far toward 

 bringing success. 



