The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-28
Catechizing The Formers
By Frsdric !. Haskin.

saGIlI MN MIMM IlH 1lh IlM IiN HM MA E14
 Despite the fact that the farmers of the Nation have made rapid strides toward general improvement during the past decade, they have not yet. in the opinion of the President of the United States, attained to the industrial. eco- nomical, social and educational stand ards that are within their reach. 50 the President has appointed commit- tho farmers of the Nation on all mat ters relative to their general condition. This committee will report to him. and the general facts they will present VIII be embodied tn the Presidents next message to congress.
 The committee recently named by the President is composed of i've men who have done much toward the advance ment of the science of agriculture, and who understand the farmer. his trials. his opportunities and his capabilities. The men named are Professor L. H. Bailey, Dean of Cornell College of Ag- ricultnre, New York; Henry Wallace. eidtor of "wailace's Farmer" Des Moines, la; President Kenyon L. But tsrfieId. of the Agriculturai College of Massachusetts: Clifford Pinchot. Forest CT of the United States. and Walter H Page, editor of Worlds Work"
 The plan of work has been already roughly blocked out. and a great dia- gram ornamenting the Forester's office shows the line along which the general catechism will proceed. There are about 10 GOO 900 farmers Tn the United Stater and they with their families make . total agricultural population of 27,ooo.- 900 people. Many of these are leaving the farms. Already one-third of the country's population has congreSated In cities of more than 5000 inhabitants Because of this constant migration cltyward, which results in the congest. ion of the cities and the abandonment of good farms. the President and his commission. are asking of the 10000. coo farmers and their families: "Ars you, too. going? Why2" Are you not happy on the farm? Why7' and again ssWhy and why7" of many things
 The land will receive the nrst at- &ention at the hands of the cafschistH appointed by the general committed. what about the land supply7 Is there enough for all? Of the farmer already settled they would know if the land ls his. or has he leased it, or IS he sshare-cropper," what the rental rates are in his locality. how much are the taxes? And if he owns the land. what did he pay for 1t and what is it now worth? Having set all this down they would know something of the laws and fenures pertaining to land In that par ffcular locality What system IS thS farmer using - extensive or intensiveF What is the character of his iano.-nu- mid. arid, or riparian? If arid, IS ne irrigating it or applying the science oI dry farmers. if it is swamp land, how rntefl can be reclaimed and has he re. claimed anyf
 Thev would know what kind of crops the farmer raises on each farm. They would know how far 1t Is to . ship ping point and how he sends his pro- duce to that point. They know aireaoy that the average number or worNlns days required to haul the annual crop of twelve leading products to market is 21.li7, 500, and that it takes sO,sls,oO0 wagon loads to get 1t all there. There must be some system of shortening tns time. and whether 1t is tlp be done by having better roads. better teams. more systematic work on the farms or co- operation among farmers and the oulla, ing of traction lines to lessen the nau that the commissioners mean 70 ma ont They know that in some Rocky Mountain communities farmers make a haul of wheat or oats 100 miles ana oS wool 1e5 miles, and that certain iarms CTS in the far Southwest have hauiea cotton by wagon 110 miles
 uay? Can a better system be devised for them, or a less expensive crop1 what kind of roads have these farmers. anvwayf If they are dirt roads ana barely kept up the commissioners gre likely to point out the fact tnAt tns land will consequently depreciate ln value. the wagons and stock be worn aut and the general condition of the family have the same appearance or ne9Iect--for such Is the law or roads and road-side dwellers.
 rhev wouid--with all politeness'--- know of the farmer himself. IS he well built. we'll clad. well fedf Has ne strength. vitality. and inteligsnce Sns. Ls. arrue we'll for his advancement In his chosen vocation? What about his fams sIv. and his help? If he employs one man tha conventional ahired man or remote New England places. or If he ernpIoys his hundreds Of negroes on sollthern plantation in the semi-feudal style of his ancestors--tne questlon1 tbn cornnaissionerR would know the type of laborer. his habits. his wages. me physical and mental condition.
 They will go toward the house wfth 4he farmer and the catechism will con- tinue, for the barns, the out-hcuses the tools, the cattle, the horses. tne poultry. the hogs, the sheep. even las ton. What breeds of these has the far- uner tried What attempts has he made to inproya these breeds? Does he know That fhis variety of corn fed to ms hogs will produce S75. where the kina he is using will only produce S6Oy what about the water supply for himseh ana his stock? Does he use well, cistern or stream Materf How is 1t distributed on the place? Does he know of the rela- lion between certain diseases and ms water supply.
 The questions will grow more per- sonal How are his children cared for. as to food, clothing and education, and how does he care for the sick of his household? The indoor life of the far fner's wife will be met with questions which are expected to ultimately bring an awakening to her and offer her a Tightening of burdens, broadening of ideas. a proIonging of youth and health Her kitchen garden and flower garden will be visited. She will be asked how much of her food is home-raised and home-cooked and how much Is bought in the ready-to-use state. They will ask more closely as to what kind of cook she really is. Sometimes she will be able to answer with pride that is justified in dishes that would make a king forget his crown and long to be a farmer forever and ever. And again, she may be of that most pathe- tic of all types-the woman of the poor whites of some remote southern com munity who does not know how to cook and whose numerous progeny bear every evidence of the fact in their sal- low faces and general lassitude. Then the asthetic side of the home life will he looked into. the decorations. fancy