The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1908-08-21

greatness OF any state must ultimately
depend more upon the character Of It's
country population than upon anything
else. No growth Of cities, no growth Of
wealth. can make up for q loss In
either the number or the character OF
the farming population.
The farm grows the raw material
for the food and clothing Of all our
citizens. It supports directly almost
half of them. and nearly half the chill
dren Of the United States are born
and brought up on farms. How can
the life OF the farm family be made
less solitary, fuller Of opportunity.
freer from drudgery, more comfort
able, happier and more attractivef
Such a result Is most earnestly to be
desired. How can life on the farm
be kept on the highest level and, where
1t Is not already on that level, be so
improved, dignified and frightened as
to awaken and keep alive the pride
and loyalty Of the farmers boys and
girls, Of the farmers wife and Of the
farmer himself7 How can a compel
ling desire to live on the farm be
aroused in the children that are born
on the farm All these questions are
Of vital importance not only to the
farmer, but to the whole nation. We
hope ultimately to double the average
yield df wheat and corn per acre. 1t
/ viii be a great achievement, but II Is
even more important to double the de-
STABILITY, comfort and standing OF the
farmers Hfe.'
cit In especially important that what
ever will serve to prepare country
children for life on the farm and what
ever will brighten home life In the
country and make It richer and more
attractive for the mothers, wives and
promptly, thoroughly and gladly.
There 10 no more important person,
measured In influence upon the life Of
the nation, than the farmers wife, no
more important home than the coun-
try home, and II IL Of national i'm
portance to do the best we can for
both.
1.-The farmers have hitherto had less
than their full share OF public, atten-
ton along the lines Of business and
social life. There is too much belief
amOng all our people that the prizes
OF life away from the farm. am
therefore anxious to bring before
the people Of the United States the
question Of securing better business
and better living on the farm, whether
by cooperation between farmers for
buying, selling and borrowing. by pro-
noting social advantages and oppor-
tunlties in the country or by any other
legitimate means that will help to
make country life more gainful, more
attractive and fuller Of opportunities,
pleasures and rewards for the men.
women and children OF the farms.
81 shall be very glad indeed II you
will consent to serve upon a commits
sion on country life upon which ! am
asking the following gentlemen to act:
Professor L. Fl. Bailey, New York
State College OF Agriculture. Ithaca, n.
Y, chairman; Mr.. Henry Wallace,
Wallace's Farmer, Des Molnes, Ia;
President Kenyon L. Butterfeld,
Massachusetts Agricultural college,
Amherst, Mass; Mr. Clifford Pinchot,
United States forest service; Mr.. Wal
ter II. Page, editor OF the Worlds
Work, New York
my immediate purpose In appoint
ing this commission Is to secure from
II such information and advice as will
enable me to make recommendations
to congress upon this extremely i'm
portapt matter. I shall be glad IL the
commission will report to me upon the
present condition Of country life, upon
what means are now available for
supplying the deficiencies which exist
and upon the best methods OF organ
lied permanent effort in investigation
and actual work along the lines have
indicated. You will doubtless also
find it necessary to suggest means for
bringing about the redirectlOn or bet
ter adaptation OF rural schools to the
training Of children for life on the
farm. The national and state agricul-
tural departments must ultimately
join with the various farmers and
agricultural organizations i'm the effort
to secure greater efficiency and at
tractlveness In country life.
an view Of the pressing Importance
OF this subject should be glad ia
have your report before the end of
next December. For that reason the
commission will doubtless find it i'm
practicable to undertake extensive In
vestlgations, but will rather contine It.
self to n summary Of what is already
known, a statement OF the problem,
and the recommendation OF measures