The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-09-23
HAPPIER FARM LIFE,
Farmers Talk of Presidents Plan
to Better Their Conditions.
MAY SOLVE VEXING PROBLEMS

View Of Maine CattIeman Who Be-
''eves investigation Will Greatly
senefit-Hoosier Says He Takes a
Bath When Needed - Government
Advice Deemed Useless.
The recent letter of President Roose-
Felt to Professor Bailey Of the New
York Agricultural college, In which the
chief executive expresses a desire to
become more conversant with condi-
lions Of farm life with a view to find
Ing out whether or not such conditions
might not he improved by national
oversight and assistance, has attracted
a good deal Of attention among the
farmers in the vicinity Of Biddeford,
Me.
From various parts Of the United
States the opinions Of representative
farmers on President Roosevelt's plan
for lettering their condition were re-
Gently gathered by the New York
World. The dispatches follow:
Deems Roosevelt Right.
John NJ. Deering Of Saco, one Of the
state cattle commissioners, says:
Il firmly believe in the recommends
lions Of President Roosevelt and the
wisdom Of his policy Of inquiring into
conditions on the farm. The investiga-
ton he has set on foot should be of
great benefit to the farmers and their
families and very likely may result in
the solution of some Of the old and
vexing problems Of farm life. The
question is II of national importance
and is deserving Of the prominence the
president would give it."
William NJ. Nutter Of Kennebunkport
said: II am in favor of anything in
the nature of the policy of investiga-
ton with a view to improvement which
the president outlines in his letter to
Professor Bailey. l hope and believe
the movement will result in benefit to
the farmer all over the country and
Will result in placing him in a position
OF greater strength economically and
socially than he has ever been in be-
FORE"
Doubts RooseveIt's Plan.
Orrin Gilbert of Middletown, Conn,
a prominent granger and successful
farmer, says: Il believe in helping a
man that tries to help himself. The
American farmer is one of the most in
dependent men In the country and sim
ply asks to be treated equally with
other men. Help given the farmer
through state agricultural experiment
stations and the government agricultur-
al department in combating diseases,
the study Of insect pests and expert
ments with many varieties is a good
thing, but to go beyond this would be
likely to have a faint of patronage and
would be detrimental to the best in
terests Of the farmers and would be re-
scented by the most Of them. l be-
lleve In the betterment Of the farmer,
as 1t would tend to the betterment of
the nation, but l think that President
Roosevelt's plan would not be for the
best rs l understand it from the press"
Wants Potato Bugs Killed OF.
The general sentiment Of the farmers
on the east end of Long Island seems
to be against the principles Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in advocating the SAM
tary improvements on the farms.
Frank Thilburg, who has a farm at
East Marion, says: 81 believe that
President Roosevelt's suggestion to-
ard improving the condition on the
FARMS Is a grand, good thing. Insects
OF various descriptions are fast de-
Stroying the crops of brussels sprouts
and cauliflower between East Marion
and Riverhead. Our cucumbers are in
a pitiful condition. What about the
apotato blight? What we want is to
have men from the agricultural de-
partment sent down here to look over
QUE farms and find out how we can get
rid of h pests. There is plenty of
money spent in the agricultural de-
partment. Why not spend some in this
way?"
None Happier Than Farmers.
Madison county Und.) farmers almost
unite that Roosevelt Is not familiar
with farm life Of today and disagree
with him that they could be happier
and more sanitary. Jerome Brown,
county commissioner and successful
farmer, said:
"Roosevelt's Idea might have applied
to some of the country years ago, but
not today. We live we'll, and none Is
happier than farmers. Sanitary condi- |
lions of farm homes are, as a rule, bet |
ter than IS per cent of homes In any |
city. Most families on farms have
more rest and recreation and are
healthier than townspeople. Our death
late is lower than in cities. and sui
cides are rare in rural districts. There
u also less of race suicide"
Takes a Bath When Needed.
Howard D. Trease, speaking Of Cedar
Greek township, in Indiana, said:
II don't know anything about the
Farmers in other states or parts, but I
guess we in Indiana are managing to
take pretty good care Of ourselves. If
President Roosevelt could do some
thing to better the condition of our
crops it would be more to the point. I