THE FARM DEMONSTRATION WORK 



the methods employed and to note the advantages of the methods 

 taught by the Government over those practised by the farmers. ' ' 



It is doubtful whether any publication ever issued from 

 the United States Department of Agriculture, or from any 

 of the agricultural colleges, has contained so much of epitom- 

 ized and usable instruction as Dr. Seaman A. Knapp's "Ten 

 Commandments of Agriculture. ' ' Hundreds of pioneer agents 

 memorized them in their entirety ; many others used them as 

 themes for addresses. They were the texts of their sermons. 

 Furthermore, they constituted the Demonstration Agent's 

 creed. Agricultural conditions were changed and agricultural 

 horizons expanded to meet the measurements herein laid down. 

 These Ten Commandments are worthy of re-publication and 

 constant consideration. They are as follows : 



(1) Prepare a deep and thoroughly pulverized seed bed, well 

 drained ; break in the fall to a depth of 8,10 and 12 inches, according 

 to the soil, with implements that will not bring too much of the sub- 

 soil to the surface. The foregoing depths should be reached gradu- 

 ally. 



(2) Use seed of the best variety, intelligently selected and 

 carefully stored. 



(3) In cultivated crops give the rows and the plants in the 

 rows a space suited to the plant, the soil and the climate. 



(4) Use intensive, tillage during the growing period of the 

 crops. 



(5) Secure high content of humus in the soil by the use of 

 legumes, barnyard manure, farm refuse and commercial fertilizers. 



(6) Carry out a systematic crop rotation with a winter cover 

 crop. 



(7) Accomplish more work in a day by using more horse 

 power and better implements. 



(8) Increase the farm stock to the extent of utilizing all the 

 waste products and idle lands of the farm. 



(9) Produce all the food required for the men and animals on 

 the farm. 



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