Connecticut western news., 1908-12-31
WHAT THE RURAL
 COMMUNITY NEEDS
MR. HALE HITS NAIL ON THE HEAD
He Tells the Country Life Commission
 What the Farmers of Connecticut Need to Make Their Vocation More Attractive Dynamite of Desire"

Need to Make Their Vocation More
 Attractive Dynamite of Desire"
 J. H. Hale of Glastonbury, Conn, peach grower of national fame. was one of the speakers at recent meeting ot the Country Life Commission held in Springfield and from his intimate knowledge of farming made the best address along agricultural lines yet de- livered before the commission. In part he said:
 ..Mr. President and Gentlemen:-
 AS understand it you have been..com- missioned by the President of the United States to trv and find out what's the matter with the average countryman and what eau be done to help hlm, and we of New England have been asked to come before vou and tell our story Of joys and sorrows. Speaking for myseE and of many hundreds of New Eng;an farmers, whose business and home life know quite intimately, you can say that This land that we're Twin in
 Is mighty hard to beat;
 You get thorn with every rose,
 But ain't the roses sweet?
 And we are living so much better than the average dweller in the city that rather seeking aid for ourselves we are ready to join hands in any feasible plan looking to, the uplift of our unfortunate brothers and sisters who must continue for a time at least to live in cities aud town.
 With our grandly wooded hills, rich and fertile valleys coursed by springs and streams of purest water, a vegeta- tion more varied and often coming to higher state of perfection than else where in America, a climate which for variety and charm keeps us all guessing what's coming next; with many good roads, and better ones coming year by year, leading to nearby cities and market towns where our produce can be quickly sold for cash direct to con sumers; good schools and public libraries generally near at hand or accessible by electric car lines, of which there are many passing the farm house door; with rural deliveries daily bringing the mail to our homes; running water: steam heat and electric lights in many of our houses; and all surrounded by the best shade trees on earth; well kept lawns; beds of flowers; gardens and fields of the finest of fruits and vegeta- bles. and the whole surrounding country one continuous stretch of beauty
 The New England farmer is living like the nobleman he is. while conduct ing his business in one vast park, which he has only to open his eyes to enjoy. In my own little state of Connecticut we are producing more corn, onions, peaches, tobacco, and garden seeds per acre than any state in the Union; more high bred Jersey cattle per square mile than there are to be found anywhere else in America, and we are selling our dairy and other products at highest re- tail prices direct to our neighbors. con- sequently we have contented farmers and hundreds of farm homes that are not for sale at any prlce. showing a very satisfying condition of things, with at least one class of our farmers.
 There is, however, another side to the picture, too many descendants of the Puritans who apparently have dropped all kinds of prayer except that one single publication from the book of common prayer which says
 ''Grant us, O Lord, minds always con- tent with our present condition. People surrounded by all the conditions and opportunities that have made so many of their neighbors prosperous and happy. yet having little. apparently wanting little, and seldom if ever reach ing out for the good things that are to be had on every hand almost for the ask ing. The one crying heed is "The Big Stick" net the particular brand that has done such splendid service for the country the past few years, but . stick of dynamite, the dynamite of desire You must jar these people into wanting something for themselves before you can hope to do them much good.
 It is intimated in some quarters that the reason so many country people huddle into one warm living room, sleep m cold ones in winter and go without hot and cold water, closets, bath tubs, etc.. is because these comforts are not easily to be had in the country, when as a matter of fact, little praying would bring them all, for is not prayer simply an earnest desire?
 know of back country communit}