The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-06-29
TELEPHONE ON THE FARM.
North Dakota Farmer First to Realize
Its Advantaoes.

Dakota Farmer First to Realize
Its Advantages.
There can be no doubt that North
Dakota farmers are among the most
progressive on earth in the adoption OF
Devices" said a man rel
Gently, who has given considerable
time to the observation of farm meth.
DDS throughout the Western states.
"There was a period, not SO far back,
either, when this section was known
as a land of magnificent distances.
That was more particularly during the
days when the big bonanza farms
were common, and when it was a long
stretch between neighbors. / do not
know whether that had anything to
do with bringing about the fact which
l have observed, but l am satisfied
that statistics would show that there
is no state in the Union where the
adoption and use of farm telephones
Is more common than right here.
There is another point of interest,"
said the speaker, which may not be
generally understood. l have it upon
what l consider to be reliable authors
ty that the first party line telephone
ever installed by farmers was used in
Dakota territory in what is now a part
of this state. A Trail county tele.
phone official made this statement in
a paper before a body of telephone
managers a few years ago, and l have
not yet heard the claim disputed.
Telephones were first brought before
general public attention about the
time Of the Philadelphia Centennial ex-
position in 1876, and it was in the year
following that, as remember, that the
first farm line was installed in Trail
county"
The value of the telephone to the
farmer is incalculable. AS a time-sav-
ing device it's usefulness is almost
proportionately greater on the farm
traversed are greater in the n case
than in the other. In these days almost
any neighborhood can have a line it
it desires one, and l have been pleased
to e how generally these party lines
are being used by farmers throughout
this entire state. have been reading
an article upon farm telephones in one
| of the state papers this week, which,
though quoted from a paper in another
state, ought to be of interest to the
readers of this paper, as well as to
farmers all over the state. Speaking
of the advantages of the phone on the
tarm, the writer says:
1T saves time, horse flesh and mon,
ey, making many trips to the village
unnecessary.
ut gives the Irmer all the advan
tage Of his neighbor, by placing him
in communication and easy access OF
all.
cit calls the doctor night or day,
saving the time that may often mean
life or death.
ct orders supplies from his hard
ware or implement dealer sent out
by parties coming in IFS direction, and
in urgent cases by special messenger
saving the time which to the farmer
in seed time and harvest means many
dollars.
ut gives him the daily weather re
port whenever he cares to inquire
enabling him to avoid loss of crops b!
storm, and the opportunity Of planning
his work accordingly.
1T enables him to take advantage O
the market in the sale of his grain
and his grain buyer is ever ready t.
keep him informed. In this alone HI
can save more than the cost of hi:
telephone every year.
1T enables him to call up his gro
Ger and sell his butter, eggs and vege
tables before they leave the farm, re
~ceiving therefor an average price fal
in excess of what he would receive
were he compelled to accept what !.
offered in a congested market.
at places him in direct contact witt
the %postoffice in the event of impor
tant mail, forming an important ad
junct to his rural delivery privileges.
ct sells his stock to the local ship
per for more than the market price
in order to fill up the car and ena
bles him % deliver it in prime con
dition, with the least possible shrink
age.
ut enables him to plan his worl
during harvest and t%hreshing wheI
exchange, work is necessary, ant
many delays from b%reakdowns in Sc
curing supplies are prevented.
ut places him in direct communica
ton with his town and county officials
whose representative capacity ena
bles them to more fully serve his in
~terests.
cit gives him the important dali.
news, and keeps his local newspape.
fully informed Of the social happen
'ngs in his neighborhood.
at oversteps storms and snowdrift'
and brings him assistance in time O
need.
ct renders fire protection, and ii
the best thief catcher in the world.
ut is protection 10 wife and daugh
ter against the opportunities of tramp
and v%agabonds and gives a s%ecurit.
nothing else can.
1T finds the strayed cattle. returns
the lambkins to the fold and become
the shepherd Of the neighborhood. =
at gives his family social priv