The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-01-03
ENHANCING
FARM VALUES

This essay. by II. +. Cook, OF Denmark,
won one of the Averill prizes awarded at
the Syracuse Conference.
Land values will be enhanced
through the revitalizing Of dormant
natural forces. Soils must be made
productive through drainage. cultiva-
ton, animal feeding and the scien-
tific use of fertilizers. Profits will be
increased by selecting plants and
breeding animals OF high quality,
such as the wealthy city trade de-
mands. '~'h.g
Two avenues Of effort are in view.
The first lies through federal and
State support, established as a prin-
ciple by the Morrill, act and subse-
quent kindred legislation. The ma
tion and the State, acting concor-
dainty, are to work out agricultural
education as it relates 10 the col
lege secondary and common schools,
enabling every land worker to un-
derstand the laws of plant and ami
NAL life; to establish a workable and
sane system of forestry, which shall
make the present woodland profitable
as a harvested farm crop. and make
possible the reforesting of nom
valuable cultural soils upon higher
attitudes, to conserve the water sup
ply needed for municipal and irriga-
tion purposes; to aid i'm developing
the waste water-power through cleo
tricity into heat, light and power to
facilitate mail and parcel distribu-
ton; TO inaugurate a complete study
of Latin-AmeTican markets; to pro-
vide, through legislation. an equal
opportunity for success in each OF our
rapid activities, and 20 promote
rapid transportation into remote To-
calities by means Of good roads and
trolleys, thus urbanizing them in re-
spect to world knowledge and move
ments OF men and things: 20 install.
in conjunction with local organiza-
tion, "A system Of inspection aud
guarantee with trademark identlfi-
cation, for farm and livestock pro-
ducts, and TO adapt cooperative dairy
methods TO their sale, and TO assist
in directing the legislative and local
thought for the good of every class
and interest, the prosperity OF each
being Influenced by the welfare of
the whole.
The second effort must be local. |
Thorough individual and organized !
action, soil improvement, supple |
mented by plant and animal breed
ing, will increase production. thus |
decreasing its cost both in labor and |
capital, reducing the expenditure OF !
human energy for support. and leay-
ing TO man more time for self-im-
provement, thereby lessenlng the de- J
sire to leave the land.
When the country church and |
school, the great directive agencies, |
become identified with country life. /
they will receive a more liberal sup
port from their constituencies.
Details will work out rapidly. The 1
tenant system, with the present de-
short contract heightened.
must be made q true partnership be-
tween worker and owner. The labor
problem viii disappear through the
adjustment OF activities
which will give equal opportunity 20
buy brain force and skill. The Grange
will be supported as the one insti-
tuition through which our educational
and economic wants may best be
made known 90 the world. Enor-
nous wastes must be checked In un-
balanced rations for stock. in plant
feeding. in forest growth and by the
removal of fence brush. Domestic
economy must give us centralized
cooking and laundry work. and teach
the housewife q knowledge OF che
vsiue Of human fosds.