Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1906-12-29
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A HOMESTEADER'S DESSERTA-
TION ON IRRIGATlONH
A Contributed Article Setting Forth
An Irrigationist's Views

How to account for the oyercrowding
of cities, and the resultant scarcity of
settlers on the public domain, is a ques
ton for students of human nature, and
of social conditions in the United States
The wonderful growth OF population in
all the large cities OF the Union, far eX-
ceeds the corresponding growth OF pop
ulation for the entire country. Is it be-
cause the people who crowd into the cit
les do not know and understand the
happiness and freedom from restraints
which country life affords, or is there
some condition attached to the rural life
which makes it undesirable for resi-
dence, in the eyes OF the many who
crowd the cities? Or is there some pc
cuiar advantage afforded 10y a residence
in populous city, not found, nor coun
terbalanced by the freedom OF country
life
The writer's instructor, in college
days, held to the opinion that man is
gregarious in his nature, and that the
influence OF numbers OF his fellow man
(and Woman) presents an irresistible
attraction which the ordinary mortal
cannot withstand BE that as il may,
the great numbers do concentrate in and
about the large cities, and the country
. districts suffer in consequence. The
equipment Of the average laboring man
for making his way in the city enables
him, after years OF hard labor, constant
application to his employers interests,
and rigid economy, to feel reasonably
certain of steady employment so long as
he is able to labor, and do Il days work
a days pay. He may even build
himself modest home, and pay
it, ii he denied himself the
satisfaction Of having u family
OF children; butthe day his health
fails, or any circumstance beyond
his control takes him from the work he
has had, i'll times come upon nim. Con
trast this mans situation with the
same amount OF energy and application
to business in a country life. After a
very few years OF only ordinary toll,
not nearly so eXacting as that required
OF laborer who receives a daily wage
from some man who proposes to see TO
1t that the wages are earned, this same
laborlng man, in any one of hall-a-dozen
states Of the Union would be the owner
of fine well-improycd farm, surround
ded by not only comforts and
substantial means of support
in his day of sickness, but many OF
the luXuries whicI, in the cities only the
rich can afford. More than that, he
has with him. daily, and all the time,
the greatest luxury the Almighty has
bestowed upon mankind, that OF being
his own master, in the full enjoyment
OF the bountes OF nature. Why do the
children OF cities crave an outing in the
country? Why do they regard the oc-
casional pienics into some wooded, or
grassy place rs enc of the brightest
memories of their chidhood2 1t is be-
cause by nature children crave the
outdoor life, the green grass, the trees,
the flowers, the running brooks, where
they can build miniature mills, ferries,
roads, OF roll around on the grass in the
fullest freedom, unmindiul OF the
watchful policeman, and the dread sign,
keep OFF the Grass"
In any large aspect Of the case, it
would seem to be, not only privilege,
but A duty OF parents to rear their