The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1876-11-16
Farmers Libraries.

In no other way can farmers cooper
ate TO their own benefit better than in
the purchase of libraries. Very few
men, comparatively, are able to own all
the books they should have access to for
reference and study. In cities and many
towns public and circulating libraries
exist, to " hich all can have access with
but little or no expense, aad we have
frequently heard farmers deplore the
fact that they were'deprived OF them en-
tirely. Let them cooperate TO form
libraries. Ten men contributing ten
dollars worth of books, which would
make very respectable beginning, and
would benefit each member just as much
as though he owned all OF them himself
By annual assessment the stock could be
increased to any extent desired, and
thus in few years library Of inestina-
BILE value to the members would result.
The best way is 10 form stock compan-
ies, regularly organized, with proper
rules and regulations. Make property
Of the books, give certificates OF stock,
elect competent officers, keep the books
at some central place, in care of any Of
ficer who is held responsible tor them
In this way any community OF farmers
who desire it can have Il library. 1t is
not necessary to live in IL city to have
access to books; a Grange or Far
mer,' Club il not necessary 10 have Il
library. All it need, is ten, fifteen or
twenty, or any greater number OF ruen
who want books, and are willing to CO.
operate in their purchase. What IT 1t
docs cost ten dollaas to start with, and
five dollars year for five years after
ward The benefit to the community
is not To be measured in dollars and
cents. But it will appear in better FAR
ming, better crops better homes, better
and more intelligent men and women,
boys and girls. You may not care about
books yourself, but you should not de.
prive your children of advantages few
paItry dollars will secure. If you want
them TO grow up into intelligent and
useful members of society you must pro-
vide the means to make them such, and
one of the most efficient is Il library OF
good books. This Is q progressive age.
You cannot measure your children adj
vantages by those which you enjoyed.
They must have better advantages, or
they will fall behind in the swift march
OF improvement. TIE day has gone By
when muscle alone will win on the farm,
and here after man must be an agr-
cuIturist as well as farmer, q thinker
as well rs worker.
Fam ers complain because they arc
not represented in the law-making de-
partments of government as largely rs
other classes, but it is their own fault.
as soon a. they are qualified TO act
the part of emily hteRed citizens. to fill
with credit positions OF honor and trust,
10 be active managers IA well as intel
ligent voters, will their influence be rec
ognized and felt. To fit them for these
positions they must have equal advan-
,ages with other classes from theii youth
up,and these can be secured bb furnishing
good schools, free access TO the best
books and periodicals OF the day, and
giving them time t. read and 10 study.
IL will cost u little more money than the
Did system of constant work, but 1t viii
be money well invested.-Ohio Farmer.