Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1913)
TITE 3TORXING OREGOXTAN. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1913- GOSPEL OF MODERN FARMING, SPREAD BROADCAST, GAINS DESIRED RESULTS Revolution in Agricultural Practices Takes Place Growing of Grains and Raising of Livestock Brought Up to Date Demonstration Farms Have Strong Influence. F .Ov v'Vsirs ?rsn.-' - win cooking exhibits were boused under tbe grandstand, while the poultry and livestock were placed. In one of the regular bams. Thousands of people visited the exhibits, and it was agreed by all that the products brought by the children rivaled in excellence those of their elders. Throughout the state I have asked the teachers to make some recognition of the work done by the children In the homes. Every day brings reports of teachers who are working out this Idea to meet the needs of their partic ular localities. Last Spring I issued a bulletin outlining the plan, and, sug gesting a few ways by which the school could be brought into closer touch with the home. A writer in one of our local newspapers says: "It is' the testimony of the parents where this plan has been tried that the children are co-operating with them and becoming interested in their homes as never before. One mother said it seemed that her duties were reduced by half, and that the children were eager to do more, for more work meant more school credits. Conditions are revers ing themselves instead of the parent saying 'You must do your chores or I shall punish you,' the child is asking, 'Isn't there something more I can do?" " ' The number of high schools in the state is increasing each year. Seventy five per cent of the children of Ore gon who complete the eighth grade,' By Dr. James Wltbyeombe, Director Orecon Experiment Station. CAPITAL Invested In the operation of the farm is bringing in greater returns each year. This Is due to agricultural education. The progress iva farmer reads the best papers and periodicals devoted to his vocation and takes advantage of every opportunity to gain information. He no longer ridicules book-farming but realizes that agriculture Is a fruitful field for endless thought and Investigation. The agricultural development of Oregon Is due to a number of educa tional agencies. Among these we may mention the Grange. Farmers' Insti tutes, demonstration trains, farmers' week and the Winter short course of the Oregon Agricultural College, the work of the experiment stations and demonstration farms, the press, ex periment station bulletins and the United States Department of Agricul ture farmers' bulletins. These educa tional factors have had their influence In developing better methods of hus bandry. r Any one acquainted with farm prac tices of the past will note the changes which have taken place. Instead of the bare Summer-fallow In Western Oregon, fields of clover, vetch, corn kale, rape and other forage crops can be seen. It Is not unusual to find, in districts where a few years since farm ers declared clover could not be sue cessfully grown, fields yielding from two to four tons of clover hay an acre, or from 50 to 1100 worth of clover, seed an acre. Farmers have also learned that it is better to market their hay and grain in the form of livestock, butter fat and eggs than in the bale apd sack. Although the livestock Industry has not been brought up to its highest standard, there has been a marked im provement. There are more and bet ter herds of dairy cattle, more and bet ter swine, and the sheep and the draft horses have been greatly Improved. Attention has been given to special crops and greater care has been exer cised In seed selection. Variety adapt ability has received more thought. Farmers are beginning to realize the importance of variety and environment. Great wastes have been eliminated through the selection of seed to suit certain climatic and soil conditions. A variety of cereals, for example, which would be excellent for some localities would be practically worthless for others. In the higher altitudes, where the growing season is somewhat short, varieties are selected which will ma ture quickly. This question of selec tion is becoming very well understood by the farmer. Agriculture is comparatively new in much of Central Oregon, but despite this fact the industry has made great progress. Contributing factors to this end have been the extension work done through the demonstration trains, farmers' Institutes and traveling agri cultural advisers, and the demonstra tion fa.-ms. Excellent results were ob- Iiineu on me acniuiiMraiion mrrns ai Redmond and Metolius last season. These were splendid object lessons for the number of farmers who visited the farms from time to time. . The success of the various crops was published by the local papers, which gave it a wide range of publicity. Much co-operative work in connection with these farms ras carried on among the farmers of the district aDd the superintendent and his assistant acted as agricultural ad visers. They visited a large number of farms and helped the farmer In the most practical way to solve his own problems. This seems at present to be the very best form of agricultural ex tension work. In the older agricultural sections of Eastern Oregon almost a revolution' in agricultural practices has taken place within .the last few years and espe-' clally during the past season. For merly wheatgrowing, with the smallest possible number of livestock, was the prevailing practice. Fields of corn, field peas and alfalfa now dot the landscape Instead of exclusive wheat and the barren fallow. Since the suc cessful demonstration that corn and other forage crops can be grown in rotation with wheat, the livestock pro duction has greatly -increased. Even dairying has made a good showing In some dry farming districts, but the greatest increase is perhaps in the production of swine. The demonstra tion train and the traveling agricul tural adviser, maintained by the Tri-County Development League, are entitled to much of the credit for -the changed conditions. There has also been a marked improvement in the horses kept on these wheat farms. The farmer has learned that he can grow economically a very high-class work horse that is very popular and in great demand In the city, hence the produc tion of a very serviceable class of horse Is becoming one of the features of the district. Since it has been definitely deter mined that alfalfa, corn, field peas and other forage crops can be grown, this solves the problem of the economical growing of the pig, and if the present good prices for hogs are maintained wheat is worth at least 50 cents a bushel more for hog feed than the present price paid for export. There seems to be no good reason why Ore gon should be bringing in such large numbers of bogs and quantities of pork products. Practically all of East ern Oregon Is well adapted to the economical production of hogs and, In stead of bringing in, we should be shipping out great quantities of pork products. From the present rate of development of the industry, it Is prob able that this will be the condition within a few years. For the more rapid development of agriculture in this state a vigorous campaign of education should be un dertaken. A good beginning has been made. The state and National Gov ernments are maintaining six experi mental farms, which are very well lo cated geographically. In addition to these, two demonstration farms were operated in Central Oregon, which were supported by. funds subscribed by the railroads, commercial organizations and Crook County. At present the United States Department of Agricul ture Is partially supporting two agri cultural advisers, one- in Wallowa County In co-operation with the O.-W. R. & N. Company and one at Salem In co-operation with the Salem Board of Trale and the Chicago Grain Ex change. In addition to these agencies, tbe farm, orchard- and garden pests are fairly well cared for under the crop pest fund of $15,000 a year. This enables the experiment station to main tain six scientific experts in the field working out methods of control and giving growers advice relating to plant diseases. This work could be ' supplemented profitably by maintaining a limited number of agricultural advisers, also by the continuance of the demonstra tion farm work in Central Oregon and the establishment of a demonstration dairy farm in co-operation with Tilla mook County and special horticultural investigations in co-operation with Hood River County. The agricultural and Industrial work among school children, supported by the State Bankers' Association, Port land Union Stockyards, office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the extension department of the Oregon Agricultural College, is giving excellent results and is destined in time to be an Important factor in the agricultural and industrial development of the state. Money wisely expended In promot ing agriculture is the best investment for the state. The latest agricultural possibilities of Oregon are almost in calculable. Agriculture Is and always will be our principal source of wealth. LIBRARY WELL PATRONIZED.' Few, if any, city libraries in the United States have a larger per capita circulation of books than has the Portland Public Library. This Institution during the past year circulated 1,036,894 volumes, a gain of 32 per cent over 1911. This is equal to four books for every resident, placing the city's population at 257,490, the direct ory census. The more extensive use of the library privileges by Portland citizens has made necessary the erection of a new and more commodious building, which is now under construction. The annual book circulation of the library, which Is not a Car negie institution, follows: 1900... 57.895 I 1911... 785,660 19U5... 177,076 I 1812 . . . l,U3b,33 1910... 552,722 go on to high school. A high school within the reach of all of the people or rural high schools are made possi ble by the Union High School law, and the County High School Fund law. This latter was made effective in Mult nomah and Lake Counties at the No vember election, and is now in force In nine counties. All phases of industrial work are being taught In the Oregon high schools, and we are particularly fortu nate in securing the consent of the State University to give credit for all such work. In other words, our high schools give a well rounded and fairly complete education. For those who are able to go on to secure a higher edu cation, the University does not Insist upon an ironclad set of college re quirements, but takes the pupils and gives them credit for all the worJc done in high school. Teachers' training courses are prov ing very popular. Many of our four year high schools are employing a normal-trained teacher to take charge of these high school students who ex pect to teach. The students are given a good course' in the practical side of teaching, methods, use of school blanks, school laws of Oregon, history of education, and one good work on pedagogy. Upon the completion of this course the students receive a one-year limited state certificate, without ex amination. The best part of this course is that it gives the prospective teacher a de sire to secure a thorough professional training. Those who expect to take up high school work go to the State Uni versity, or - some other college offer ing a course In education: those who wish to -do special work go to the Ore gon Agricultural College, while those who expect to fit themselves for gram mar grade teachers, principals or su perintendents go to the State Normal School. The new certificate law is do ing . much to raise the standard of teachers. Many trained teachers from other states are coming to Oregon be cause the graduate of a standard nor mal school or of a university having a department of education may receive without examination a certificate to teach in this state. This tends to make, those in Oregon who wish to teach first prepare themselves by a good professional course. The greatest problem in the publio school system today is how to make the rural school equal in efficiency to the town or city school. The study of practical agriculture will help to make the school fit the community in which it is situated. Oregon is well adapted to poultry raising, yet she does not produce enough eggs to supply her The Delivery of Kilk When the milk you re ceive is clean to the last drop, free from any possi ble harmful germ by pas teurization, is such that your children and your family can absolutely de pend upon. for purity and; nourishing qualities, you are obtaining not the mere setting of a standard, but the highest standard that the attention of the chem ist, the bacteriologist, the veterinarian and the serv ices of men, with years of experience, skilled in tech nical knowledge can set. and you will know that you are getting from us the best that science can pro duce and money can buy. Ue Damascus Creamery 433 HAWTHORNE AVE. East 3340, B 6155. conditions of the rural schools. At the beginning of the year the County Su perintendent outlines a definite plan of work and certain things to be accom plished during the year. On the whole, the public schools of the state are progressing, modern san itary buildings are being constructed in. all of our cities and towns, indus trial work is being taught in most of our high schools and Is rapidly being introduced into the grades. The state may be proud of its university and its normal' school and its agricultural col lege. However, if our state Is to con tinue to prosper and its resources are ever going to be developed fully, all must unite to make the rural schools a place where parents will feel satis fied to send their children. Don't You Want Country Trade? You Can Get It By Using the Country Press The most conven ient, effective and economical way is through the Portland Newspaper Union 92-94 Front St., Portland, Or. . Box 131. . Phonest Halm 6464, A 3264. SCHOOL ENROLLMENT BT YEARS. Enrollment in public schools in Oregon has shown considerable . gain every year. In 1900 there were 89,405 pupils registered, while in the past year there were 130,268. A table showing the school enrollment by years follows: 1900 89,405 1905 100,534 1906 100.898 1907 102,662 1908 107,493 1909 114,464 1910 118,412 1911 124,439 1912 130,268 COFFEE TEA SPICES BAKING POWDER EXTRACTS JUST RIGHT ESSBE CL0SSET&DEVER5 PORTLAND, ORE. STUDY OF AGRICULTURE IS NEW BRANCH IN SCHOOLS Greater Attention to Rural Institutions Is Now Need in Oregon Progress Made During 1912. own demands. This year through the school fairs we expect to lay special emphasis upon poultry contests, and make as our goal the raising of enough poultry products by the school chil dren of the state to pay the cost of public schools. The new supervisory law is intended particularly for the rural schools. In the cities and towns we have close su pervision, and all will agree, satisfac tory and efficient service. We are paying in such schools about $33 per capita for the child's education, while for the country child's education we are paying about $13 per capita. In the rural schools without the super visors, there Is practically no super vision, once a year being as often as It Is possible for the County Superin tendent to visit the schools. The su pervisors not only help the teachers to make their work more effective, but they visit the directors and school pat rons, hold parent-teachers' meetings in each community and thus arouse local pride in the betterment of the school system. Reports from nearly every county where the law is in effect show that much is being done to better the' BELL & CO. INC COMMISSION MERCHANTS WHOLESALE FRUITS AND PRODUCE. 112-114 FRONT STREET PORTLAND, OREGON By L. R. Alderman, State Superintendent of Public Intttracnun. A DEEP and widespread interest in the study of agriculture, do mestic science and manual train ing; a steady increase in the number of high schools; a vigorous attempt on the part of the teachers of the state to bring the schools and the home into a closer relation by the home-credit plan, and the securing of a firm and permanent position in our educational system of a State Normal School are some of the most Interesting signs of progress Is the work of our public schools for the past year. New life was put into the study of agriculture through the school fairs held in every county excepting one the past year. By far the most interest ing feature of the State Fair was the Industrial exhibit of the schoolchildren of the state. The State Educational Department, in connection with tbe State Bankers' Association and the State Agricultural College, inaugurated a plan last Spring for a series of fairs for the children, and the State Fair Board set aside $1000 to be given in prizes for their exhibits. In addition to this generous backing, public spirited citizens from all parts of the state, including stockmen, poultrymen, orchardists and merchants, offered a large number of choice prizes amount ing in value to more than $2500. Three thousand exhibits were made at Salem by the schoolchildren of the state. Gar des products, woodwork, sewing and THE LABOR COST as charged by your printer is the same whether a good or a cheap letter head paper is used, STRATHMORE PARCHMENT is the best product of the art of Paper-making. Send to us for the Strathmore Parchment Test Book. It shows the difference. STRATHMORE PAPER COMPANY Successor to Mittineagae Paper Company, Mitt ine ague, Mass., XT. S. A. Albers Bros. Milling Co;. CEREAL MILLERS Manufacturers of VIOLET OATS PEARLS OF WHEAT 4 PEACOCK BUCKWHEAT j COLUMBIA OATS i COLUMBIA WHEAT ; ; ALBERS PANCAKE FLOUR! MILLS Portland, Oregon Seattle, Washh igton San Francisco Cal. Tacoma,Washi; ajton A Question of Your He filth Agitation among thinking people over the qnestion of Table Foods is raising the standard of al food products. . ' The housewife should purchase her Table Fo f ds by brand just as she would an article of wearing irpparel of special brand or design. I If the housewife is seeking the health and weJ-being of her household she will familiarize herself ninth an established brand of Table Foods, that stands for i ill that is pure and good and healthful.. . .. J ,' "When you think of Table Foods think of our biritnd and ask your grocer for i . ' Wadhams & Kerr Bros. " BRAND WHOLESALE GROCERS Portland, Oregon McNEFF BROS. DEALERS HOPS GROWERS 614 WORCESTER BUILDING PORTLAND, OREGON, U. S. A. Telephones: Main 8881, Home, A 1178 iiiwniiiii BRANCHES Puyallup North, "jj'akima Santa I bosa . Sacramento : Salem ! Minium aiiiiiiiiiii ANNOUNCEMENT We wish to express our gratitude and thanks to the many! patrons for their loyal support through the past year. We can onl:f attrib ute our crowning success to you In patronizing a family laurtilry that is ever progressive and striving to please. Our Motto: " Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Man," combined with good mi rk, and attention to all detail. Is fast bringing us to that goal irlilch we are ever seeking SUCCESS. l-: Thanking you for your kind consideration In the past, and fa oping- a continuance of same, we wish to extend the season's greeting by wishing you a Merry Xmas and & Happy New Tear. . ' i The Portland Laundry Co. CITY DYE WORKS H. ENKE, Prop. Dyeing and Cleaning of Every Description Main Office, East Third and Ash. Phone East 194, B 1194 SPECIALIZING IN Ladies' and Gentlemen's Fine Wearing Apparel We Call and Deliver ' W est Side Oiifice, 65 Sixth St. ' Phone M; un 1713, .11713 Use Royal White Laundry and Steam Refined Borax Soap Man ufactured by Luckel King & Cake Soap Co. Clean Washed Wipers Always in tock The Overall L aundry & Supply Co. Phome East 1 tf3. Foot of Market Street Port'ani Or.