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Subject: 'Farm Names', by W. L. NELSON, Asst Secretary-MO State Board of Agriculture 1917
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 11:22:27 EST

Hello,
Does anyone know where I can find the 1917 publication "Farm Names', by W. L.
NELSON, Assistant Secretary of The Missouri State Board of Agriculture?
It was mentioned in the state news section from another county's newspaper.
Thank you very much!
- Kay, FL

JEFFERSON COUNTY RECORD January 25, 1917
~ Farm Names in Missouri ~
Missouri was the first state in the Union to enact a farm name
registration law. The Missouri State Board of Agriculture has just
issued a bulletin, "Farm Names", the author being W. L. NELSON,
Assistant Secretary of the Board who was also the author of the farm
name bill referred to. This bulletin, in addition to giving the names
of 1,000 Missouri farms, tells how many of these names originated and
offers suggestions for the naming of farm homes. The origin of the
names of famous places in other states is also given. Many Missourians
and others have contributed to this bulletin, thus making it of unusual
value. In a list of 1,000 Missouri farm names "view" is used 88 times,
as in "Fairview" or "Lakeview." Other popular basic words are "valley",
used 38 times; "Maple" 34; "oak" 24; "dale" 28; "walnut" 23, "side" 22;
Then there is found frequent use of "hurst,"; Old English for thicket
or grove, as in "Hickoryhurst" ; "foyle" a leaf as in "Glenfoyle"
meaning a leafy glen. This bulletin on farm names is free to
Missourians.

~ Advertising the Farm Name ~
The Missouri State Board of Agriculture, in a new bulletin on Farm
Names, has the following to say as to advertising the farm name and its
products;

"Once an appropriate farm name has been chosen, there is need of good
taste, discriminating judgment and wisdom in its use. Even when the
name is used a trade mark; used commercially, it should not be
in a fashion to offend the best of taste. The name should be used for
identification rather than as an advertisement.  A carefully
lettered sign on the front gate, the R. F. D. mail box, or on a small
board made for the purpose is to be recommended. Letter paper and
envelopes should always bear the farm name. The farmer who neglects to
use printed stationary is missing a great opportunity to
advertise his business. In this day and age no farmer can afford to
conduct his correspondence on blank stationary or worse still, on
cheap, shoddy stuff containing the advertisement of some city concern.
A small halftone illustration showing the farm home, the entrance where
the name is displayed, or even some of the leading products of the
farm, may be used as a trademark and also on stationery. It matters not
which is preferred, the material should if possible, be secured through
some local firm, preferably the newspaper, which can and should be of
farm and its products. It is worth much to have the newspaper make
liberal use of the farm name, even in its news columns. The local
printing office is not always prepared to turn out embossing or perhaps
certain halftone work, but can always secure the desired article
without increased cost over that the customer would be compelled to pay
elsewhere."

This Bulletin, of which W. L. NELSON, Assistant Secretary is the
author is free to Missourians.

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