The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-24

Tho census reports have shown that
the drift of population is from the country
to the towns and cities. Many sections
show big increase in population, but all
the increase is found outside OF rural
communities. In not few cases purely
agricultural districts contain fewer people
than they did years ago. At this time we
do not propose 10 enter into a discussion
Of the various causes that nave led to this
condition OF affairs, but rather to make
few suggestions to those who contemplate
change. and also to note the fact that
this exodus from the country is not
thing to be deplored in itself.
the feeling of unrest that has seized
upon so many OF the farmers as a result of
lessened incomes has been severely criti-
cised by some who knew little of the true
situation. No blame attaches to the man
who does not willfully accept life of
rather severe economy when he believes
that he is able to make money in city or
town. This desire to improve ones cir
cumstances is natural and everyone is in
luenced by it, But observation teaches
that many make mistake when they ex-
change the plain country life OF the farmer
for that of the city worker. On the sur
face the life of the latter appears prefera-
bic. More money is handled, better
clothes may be worn and the outside show
may be greater, but the average farmer
has many comforts and conveniences,
much leisure and a wholesome abundance
hn hoh nd no, ha
changes country for town life. He usually
learns that his lot was not so bad as he
imagined.
The lesson OF content has been learned
by very few in this world. III the drift
cityward was a good thing for all in it,
then would this department encourage it.
As matters stand il can only caution. The
change does not usually afford all that it
promises Big salaries are eaten up in
rents and other necessary expenses
Wages are nominally high, but in truth
are not able to afford family the sbund-
ance that is found in farmers homes. 1t
is safe to say that nine farmers out of ten
who leave their farms for town life find
| when too late that they could not afford
to exchange places with the men they
have envied. The fact is that farmers are
even yet much better off. so far as the
comforts of life go, than the great major
ity, however much We may object to the
i'll ELECTS of unjust legislation. Habits OF
| industry and economy are pulling the
farmers through this depression, and it is
always bad policy to swap horses when
crossing q stream.
However, thousands are going to the
cities. and by so doing they improve the
! condition of those that remain. They
are swelling the ranks of the consumers
and essening the number OF the pro-
| ducers OF farm products. This seems to
| be necessary adjustment On affairs.
| Farm machinery has increased the pro-
| ductive capacity of farm labor to such a
| degree that one man can do the work of
three men OF half a century ago. The
| consumption of food can be increased
only to a certain point, and then comes
oyerproduction. On the other hand there
| is apparently no limit TO the demand for
many of the products of city labor. The
| qualification OF a taste for luxuries and
other pleasures affords boupdless field of
labor, provided enough persons are able
to indulge in them. Only so much bread
and meat can be consumed, and labor
saving inventions lessen the number of
people needed on the farms, but Just as
the sewing led TO the hundred
/
OF manufacture the number of laborers
| grows instead OF decreases
From farmers standpoint the drift OF
| people cityward is a good thing While
II emphasizes the fact that farming is not
| as profitable as it once was, il also helps
| to bring the cure. 1t were far better il
/ country life could be the lot of millions
who are cooped up in city tenements, but
the growth of cities at the expense of the
country is in favor of the farmer who re-
mains. The abundance of wholesome
food and air, the freedom from chatting
restraints and degree of leisure for mental
and social improvement that evenings and
rainy weather bring-all these are in favor
OF country lie.
Observers Notes
There is more of an art in the trans
planting of young plants than some
imagine. Failures are blamed upon the
weather or luck" when they are due to
negligence and carelessness. The first
requisite is good plant. In the case Of
sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage. etc.
good plants are gotten by thin seeding
and reasonably deep covering. Sweet pc
tatoes in hot bed should not be crowded
and should have at least three inches Of
rich soil over them. Then fibrous roots
form in abundance. Cabbage, tomato. anc
other plants for resetting should be sowr
in drills so that the sunlight can react
and harden the stems
When the plants are ready for drawing
the bed should be soaked with water Sc
that the tiny roots will not be broken of
by the soil. 1t is always safest TO trans
plant after a rain rather than before one
and this work should not be done while
the ground is full of water, as clods are
formed around the plants in the setting
If plants are set before a rain a hard crust
may form after it, stunting the growth o.
the plant. Unless one is sure that he
will 90 over the ground breaking thi,
crust coon as formed he should wait until
after rain. Then, too, often the expect
ed rain fails to come, and il the grounC
is dry the plants are badly stunted if mo-
killed.
Watering plants when trsnsplanting II
not advisable. A clod is formed where il
will do the most harm. Pudding is fal
better. The puddle is made by mixinI
three parts of clay with one of cow ma
nure and adding enough water to max,
this thin mortar. AS soon as the plants
are drawn immerss the roots in the pud
die and then withdraw them. A coat o
the puddle will adhere and keep the root
let's alive until the moisture in the GROUND
begins to feed them. The manure keeps
the clay from becoming hard and also
/ ~. L.. H.. H.