Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-18
MontOur American.
FRANK c. ANGLE, Proprietor.
Oanville, Pa, Apr. lS 1907.
Progress of the Farmer.

1t is a fact that the farmer of today
is keeping SO closely abreast of the
times in the matter of progress
and of knowledge that he is leaving
behind him the masses in the city who
are often deluded by the belief that
they know more. Ten years in the
country districts surrounding Dan
Vile has transformed the farmer 1t
has lifted him from the rut Of h0ne
labor to the platform of scies:"a. that
science which he utilities liz sve!9p-
ing his crops and of securin for them
prices better than he was ever able to
secure before
This is not only so in Pennsylvania
but the progress of the farmer is every
where observed in this country.
Through the medium of educational
and cooperative societies he secures
advantages that toilers in the cities
often neglect to avail themselves of
the temptation to enjoyment is too
great.
1.-THE recent announcement that the
Farmer's s Educational and Co-opera-
tive Union has increased its member
ship in Mississippi by five thousand
during the six weeks past is some
indication of the remarkable growth
Of this organization throughout the
entire country" says the Atlanta
Journal. cit was estimated some
time ago tnat the membership exceed
ed round million, and it is by no
means improbable that even those
figures have long since been passed.
The information from Mississippi is
to the effect that the growth has
been so rapid that special inJunctions
have been given that no undesirable
members should be taken and this pol
icy has been rigidly followed. But
in spite of the care and discrimination
which is exercised there seems to be
no limit to the growth of the national
union.
''If the Farmers Union will stand
together they will be able to accom-
plish much for their own welfare and
for the welfare of the whole country
1t is q compact and patriotic organ
ization, with high ideals and the cour-
age of its convictions. 1t is capable
of becoming a powerful factor, for in
stance in the maintenance of a higher
level Of prices for cotton and to this
end, we have no doubt. it will largely
direct it's attention. The astonishing
growth shown by the organization in
Mississippi during six weeks is mere
the whole country and particularly
in the south. 1t is factor with which
organized capital in all its oppressive
form will have TO reckon in the future
If it persists in its determination to
keep out of politics. as al organiza
tion, there will be no limit to its field
of usefulness
II such organizations took mp poll
-tfcs there VIII be little time for the
discussion Of agriculture. Where there
is so much at stake in organizations
where farmers assemble to learn of
cultivation and production politics
would entangle the fabric of progress.
It Is too great a movement to be frus-
trated by politics. There are other as
semblages In which the farmer can
learn something of politics if he is
anxious on this score. The newspap-
ers can help him out Of knowledge of
men. things, candidates aud principles.
The average farmer will be found
to be surprisingly we'll booked
on these things. No matter when
you meet him he has in most cases
arrived at his opinion on the candidate
and the party. Unlike men who sus-
tain their families by mental labor he
has time to and he thinks of these
things while going about his work.
Steadily the farmer is commanding
a wider field of respect. His aim is
always high and his understanding
good. There are great triumphs in
store for him and his success will be
watched with pleasure for it must
contribute to the country great
measure of prosperity.