The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-09-25
ADDRESS
By R. w. Sylvester, President Maryland
Agricultural College, Before the Cecil
Farmers Club, Held at the Home
of M. G. Reeder, Sept. 9th.

freSluent sylvester on DeinR lnNiteu 10
address the Club said in part
That he was gratified to have the privi-
1ege of conference with so progressive a
farmers organization as the Cecil
County Farmers Club. Indications Of a
prosperous community were in pleasing
egidence on both sides of the highway
FROM the depot at Rising Sun to the
elimination Of such conditions on the
premises of the hospitable host. The
speaker expressed great qualification at
Mr.. Reeder's most timely remarks on the
Importance to farmers Of two questions
recently discussed at a meeting held in
Baltimore, by delegation Of representa-
tive agriculturists. He wishes to still
further emphasize what the host had so
we'll said.
No question at this time was more vital
TO rural people than Good Roads. Well
made highways carried with them a civil
izing and an uplifting tendency, more po-
tent for the prosperity of a community
IMAM any ObhOl Ah01 aAC az tAN
basis of every development! Social coudi-
tions, school conditions and financial
conditions, each and all attain their
highest development in communities
were good roads abound. 1t is useless to
attempt the development in their highest
forms of these needs Of human nature
until good roads are established. 1t is
unnecessary TO give reasons for they are
automatic. Observation teaches us they
are fundamental facts.
1t is acknowledged that good highways
give safety and prosperity in any COM
munity in which they abound The eco
nomic principle at their basis could not
be neglected in any other business, save
agriculture, and not lead inevitably to in
solvency. 1t is not too much to say that
i'll the item of moving crops, so per cent
is not too great an estimate of the loss
incident to wear and tear Of conveyance,
injury to draft animals and loss in power
to draw the produce of the farm to the
shipping point. 1t is impossible to have
centralized public schools, with their at
tendant blessings, SO long as our roads
are in the usual condition we find them
for five months of the school year. With
these potent facts, why is it that our con-
sentative farmers have not long since de-
vised some means by which this desirable
end may be attained?
Evidence of greatest interest in this
matter is now spreading over the State,
and many suggestions have been made,
as to the best plans of laying the founda-
ton to their attainment. 1t is believed
by many that the means are at hand to
this end, in raising revenue for this pur
pose by leasing the barren bottoms of the
Chesapeake Bay, for oyster culture.
Prof. Brooks of the Johns Hopkins Uni
versity years ago, after most thorough
scientific investigation of this subject,
announced that under the present treat
ment of this bivalve, il was rapidly ap-
preaching extinction in Maryland waters.
He demonstrated incontestably that it
was perfectly possible to regain our lost
revenues as we'll as one of our most de-
sirable foods, if less senseless and prod
igal policy could be established in rela-
tion to this water food.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
have not been slow in embracing the
opportunities which Prof Brooks investi-
cation offered. Maryland is dallying
with the subject still. Why should the
farmers neglect this opportunity for reve-
nue. and comfort longer? If such organ
izations as the one before ME today
would take up the subject and see to it
that their representatives at Annapolis
represented them in this important par
ticular, it would be no distant day before
at hand. know that this plan of raising
revenue is unalterably opposed by some.
Every class of citizens are benefited by
good roads, city as we'll as country, nation
as we'll as state. Every profession equal
ly with that of agriculture. Therefore il
is great national question, as we'll as
a state, county and district one. All
therefore, should contribute to attaining
this end. We find this thought gaining
ground.
A road division is found in the Depart.
meut of Agriculture manned by compe-
tent men, ready to cooperate with the
states. A Highway Commission similar.
ly equipped. willing to serve the counties
1t is encouraging to find at least some Of
the counties, ready to lay aside their pri
meval methods, and recognize that mod.