Evening journal., 1908-06-24
Editorial Opinion
"Baok to tho Farm"

| Rdsh " Afto
Atlanta Georgian.
Back to the farm" How often one
hears in a derisive way this saying.
1t is one of the stock phrases of cheap
comedians and alleged humorists. In
its application by such IL is meant to
Imply anything but complimentary di-
lrection.
But a deeper, more potent meaning
lis growing into the homely old words,
back to the farm" 1t has not been
so long since the cities, towns and
public works drained the country of it's
vital young blood. The isolation of
agrarian life, far removed in many in
stances from contact with neighbors,
made it a dreary and toneless life.
Young men and women with ambi-
tion stirring them 10 the depths found
no hope In that hum-drum existence.
Schools had been poor. social inter-
course practically unknown-only the
barren years laden with grinding labor
Hay ahead. They shook off the stupor
of the life and sought the cities. Into
the business, social and commercial ar
teries of these cities they poured their
energies, and made such cities great.
A few years have wrought a Won
derful change in farm life. Rural de-
livery has linked the farm daily with
the big world. It has brought with IL
books, magazines and papers. It has
given to the farmer the weapon of
daily market quotations. But the far
reaching influence of rural mail service
lies deeper than the mere present bene-
fits 1t has brought better roads, bet
ter schools. good churches. quickened
intercourse between neighbors and
hastened the development of suburban
electric lines
II is bringing the farmer to a reali-
zation of what the big outside world
has long known-that the permanent
prosperity of a country is based on
the success Of its agricultural develop
ment of suburban electric lines.
II is bringing the farmer to a reali-
zation of what the big outside world
has long known-that the permanent
prosperity Of a country is based on the
success Of its agricultural development.
Land owners are building up their
properties. .bettering their homes.
Homes are feeling the necessity of
some of the comforts that have long
been considered unattainable.
From a sodden existence farm life
alize that both material and physical
gain are TO be had in tilling the soil;
that under modern conditions and
methods the dreary round of wearing
toll can be ameliorated; that with in
tensive methods they can enjoy a de-
gree Of comfort and content that no
city life can afford.
That this feeling is growing is illus
trated by a simple but clear-cut state
ment of a correspondent in The Eli
Jay Courier. He says:
"Our attention should be given more
to building up the farm and raising
fair crops. Many Of our farmers have
neglected their farms TO work at pub
lie works. when they could have made
more money with less work and could
have been more Independent by attend
ing to their farm crops. BY looking
after the farms and keeping them in
good shape you not only make a good
profit on your work. but you enhance
the value OF the lands and contribute
to the general prosperity of the coun-
try. Let us all take up the slogan Of
back 10 the farm"
No longer is back to the farm" a
cry OF derision. but one that means
great things to the South-the build
ing up of the waste places. a deep and
abiding prosperity. bedded in the soil.
and for the welfare of a great people.
She is Don't Fretter.
New York Evening sun.