New-York tribune., 1907-10-24
PRESIDENT SENDS WORD
F4RM CONTENTION OPENS
Secretary Wilson Principal Speaker
at Syracuse Meeting.

N person President Roosevelt had proxy at the
convention which opened here to-day to consider
she agricultural situation in the State of New
York in the shape OF a letter to Giles H Stulwell
president Of the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
1,der the auspices of which the gathering is being
held in which he gives his views of the solution
~ the problems involved.
In the letter. which read 10 the convention
President Roosevelt, after expressing regret at his
inability he present, says that in order success
fuIv 10 solve the problem of conditions in this
state. which also exist in Pennsylvania and Ohio
,here must he cooperation between the nation and
the several states concerned.
ssIothinz.' he continues more concerns the tut
rre welfare Of our whole people from every stand
,oint than the need that all available agricultural
lands should be fully availed of by actual home
makers on them
There has been an ominous decrease IN tho
value Of property and of the total acreage of
farms and improved lands in the state. Many diff
fereut causes have conspired to bring about this
ehrinkage. The remedies almost diverse s
Tho causes Of evil
There must be a far more careful and scientific
study in the past Of the adaptation of soils to
crops. 80 that Improbable crops may be elimi-
mated and the others extended in such fashion
may be suited TO the widely varying climatic and
sol conditions the state There must he an OK
tension OF animal husbandry and adaptation OF
breeds Of animals to suit soils. climate and topog
TaPhy and a careful study of manurial and fer
tIizing requirements Of the soils must he made
Nor can We afford TO neglect the transportation
problem
y am firmly convinced that most farmers boys
and girls should be educated through agricultural
high schools and through the teaching Of practical
elementary agriculture in the rural common
schools, 50 that when grown I'D they shall become
farmers and farmers wives
Education should be toward and not away from
ne farm There must be an organized effort 10
restore or create the highest social conditions in
me country districts, and the farmers organiza-
uons should be strengthened so that they may
best tell for social and trade betterments'
IN closlng- President Roosevelt said that the
Farmers themselves be the chief Instruments
N oeterlng conditions aided by state and national
agricultural departments and institutions
more man one hundred farmers, representing
Ho'I' ohe-haIi the counties of the state attended
'le convention to-day. F n. Godfrey master Of
lL't slale grange. presided, and Mayor Alan q
tooes Of Syracuse made brief address Of welcome
oaing The attention Of the convention 10 the fact
that there were many agricultural possibilities in
New York State, including the cultivation Of to-
bacco, which he hoped would receive their con-
Ederation- Mayor Fobes also suggested an immi-
grafton bureau in New York City for securing the
right kind Of labor from among immigrants for
the farm.
SECRETARY WILSON'S SPEECH
The principal speaker was James Wilson secre-
tary Of Agriculture. He said in part:
The people Of the United States have wasted their
3q 5 I'm Psrs & 5 IN The f esr5h d The The soil has been robbed
- 1e VI ie I i ~ia SgIt1 S ana MeSI " e nave reached
famine ana very high prices for fuel. Prices Of
Soayenton has been called TO consider decreased
population Such conventions might well be called
robbers and wood robbers and water robbers and
With the help Of improved machinery the pro
sSs1TS l19Iy1ouat farmer Is 2roducng much more
qualities Of their farms they oBserye R @ Certain Prin
ders or roughage; they keep livestock and grow
feed for them they sell animals and their products
virgin soils grows wheat At prices that have been
none He keeps improved stock that respond 10
1llo tL-1t ~ o+L t!e L
promptly on the ields. He rotates his crops He
He @ oo if asT Ts he he has hheS good 95 g29a eaTde G
mares and growing colts. He has library with
Periodicals and standard works and a musical in
needs il, has spring vehicle for her 70 visit in.
cows or mutton sheep, or both -.
Eastern and Middle states are mainly changed eco
nonlc conditions which render Improbable some
apparent for change in the system OF agriculture
20 reabltate the unoccuped farms and 70 Increase
the financial returns from the soil. The soils Of
New York and New England. by reason of their
sos in the United STATES They are not wei adapt
o5;+i :, {g o-pg , sIg ~ +iIsriy adar+ed 70 specal
crops and special Industries which the newer eco
hI@Be IsBs conditions will no" make exceedingly prof.
SOL surveys should be extended as rapidly as pos
sibe 10 give the people q correct idea OF The re
sources Of the whole country. The special crops
70 which these soils peculiarly adapted with due
regard 10 economic and market conditions must be
demonstrated 20 the people to the end that utllza-
fiOn be realized the fullest extent.
These neglected lands can be brought back 70
their primitive frIitfulness, and no doubt Will be.
They are the cheapest lands ! know Of anywhere
the attention Of people wanting homes who have
saved some capital from their earnings, or young
men Of some means who have tastes for the inde-
rected with these lands. Good government land
tn humid section has been taken up Lands
being reclaimed by irrigation are desirable. put
they are remote from great centres or population
Til lands We are discussing here, At your
doors hin hearing Of factory whistles and school
bells within sight Of college and church spires, arn
only need intelligent management 10 return paying
harVests
Nj Godfrey said that while there never was
tine when farmers were doing better than to-day
yet there was too much difference between the prices
The consumers pay and what the farmers get lie
said that there were abandoned farms, but there
were farms that were not being worked.
T. Y Powderly chief Of the division Of infor1na-
ton of the bureau of immigration at Washington.
said that twenty-five years ago he spoke in SYRIA
ouse in opposition 70 immigration. but he had
since changed his mind and favored opening the
doors and allowing the people Of the old countries
70 come and help do the work that TO be done
He said his bureau trying 70 find where farm
help needed.
Justice Peter McB. McLennan Of the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court. believed that
farmers and others should be allowed TO go 20
Europe and make contracts for labor. thereby get
ting the best and not the offscourings.