THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



"Demonstrate the things which have been proven and established 

 by the Department and the College Experiment Stations, and you 

 will find that your high school farms have a real mission to your 

 people," said Dr. Knapp. This advice had a far-reaching influence 

 upon the state superintendent and his high schools. 



Analysis of the Soil 



Dr. Knapp was present at a large meeting of farmers, 

 college men and school officers in Arkansas when a big- 

 fisted, commanding looking farmer arose and said: 



"What we farmers need is chemists to analyze our soils! If 

 I send samples of soils from different parts of my farm to the 

 Agriculture College they should let me know, in a few days, just 

 what kinds of soils I have and then I'll know what to plant." 



He spoke in stentorian tones and with apparent unction. 

 A ripple of applause swept over the audience and the pro- 

 fessors from the Agricultural College looked embarassed. 

 By common consent all eyes turned to Dr. Knapp, who arose 

 and spoke somewhat as follows: 



"There are not enough chemists in the world to carry out our 

 friend's idea and it would bankrupt our treasuries to pay the salaries 

 even if we could find the chemists." 



Then turning to the farmer speaker, he said : 



* * No, my friend, you wouldn 't know what to plant when you got 

 the report of the chemists. By the time he got around to your soil 

 samples, made the analyses and sent his findings to you, the agencies 

 of sunshine, rain and growth would have changed them to such an 

 extent that the analysis would be practically worthless. Besides, 

 you have plenty of chemists on your farm anyway. Every plant is 

 a chemist. If your crops do not produce enough stalk and foliage, 

 your soil wants nitrogen, if it does not fruit well it needs phosphorous 

 and if the fruit is not finished perfectly more potash is required. 

 Sometimes we fail to learn from the teachers who are nearest to us 

 and all of us should sit at the feet of Mother Nature more and more." 



It is scarcely necessary to add that the audience caught 

 the point and cheered heartily, while the big magnanimous 



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