The Glenwood post., 1909-02-13
| necessary; and in many cases def,ni,.

that must be undertaken until all the
people are informed on the whole sub
1ect OF rural life. and until there is an
awakened appreciation of the neces-
sity of giving this phase of our
tonal development much attention
as has been given to other phases or
interests; quickened sense of
sponsibility. in all the country people.
to the community and the state in the
conserving of soil fertility and in the
necessity for diversifying farming in
order to conserve this fertility and to
develop better rural society, and
also in the better afe-guarding of the
strength and happiness of the farm
women; more widespread conviction
of the necessity of organization. not only
for economic but for social pur-
poses. this organization to be more or
less cooperative. so that all the people
may share equally in the benefits and
have voice in the essential affairs OF
the community: realization on the
part Of the farmer that he has dis
tinct natural responsibility toward the
laborer in providing him with good
living facilities. and in helping him in
every way to be man among men:
and realization on the part of all
tie people of the obligation to protect
and develop the natural scenery and
attractiveness of the open country.
Underlying Problem of Country Life.
The commission has pointed out
number of remedies that are extreme
ly important: but running through all
of these remedies several great
forces or principles. which must be
utilized in the endeavor to solve the
problems of country life. All the peo-
pie should recognize what these fun
damental forces and agencies are.
Knowledge.-To improve any situ-
alton, the underlying facts must be un-
derstood. The farmer must have ex-
act knowledge of his business and of
the peculiar conditions under which
he works. The United States depart
ment of agriculture and the expert
ment stations and colleges are rapidly
acquiring and distributing this knowl-
edge; but the farmer may not be able
to apply it to the best advantage be-
cause of lack of knowledge of his own
soils. climate. animal and plant dis
eases. markets. and other local facts.
The farmer is entitled to know what
are the advantages and disadvantages
of his conditions and environment. \
thorough going system of surveys in
detail of the exact conditions under
| lying farming in every locality is now
an ind spensable need to complete and
apply the work of the great aericul-
| tural institutions. As occupation.
agriculture is means of developing
| our informal resources; we cannot de-
| velop these resources until we know
| exactly what lhey are
Educution.-There must be not only a
| fuller scheme of public education, but a
| new kind of education adapted to
| the real needs of the farming pco-
| Pile The country schools are to be so
redirocted that they shall educate their
| pupils in terms of the daily life. OPP
| portuuities for training toward tho
| agricultural colleges are to be multi
| piled and made broadly effective.
Every person on the land, old or
| young in school or out of school. edu-
| Gated or illiterate, must have chance
| to receive the Information necessary
| for II successful business. and for a
healthful. comfortable resourceful life.
| both in home and nciGhborhood. This
| means redoubled efforts for better
| country schools, and vastly increased
interest in the welfare of country boys
and girls on the part of those who
| pay the school taxes. Education by
| means of agriculture is to be a part
| Of our regular public school work.
| Special agricultural schools are to he
| organized. There is to h" wcll-dc-
vcloped plan of extension teaching
| conducted by the agricultural colleges.
! by means of the printed page. face-to-
| face talks. and demonstration or oh
| ject lesson. designed to reach every
farmer and his family, at or near their
homes. with knowledge and stimulus
| in every department of country life.
/ enlargement of voluntary organized Of
| fort among farmers themselves. 1t is
| Indispensable that farmers shall work
| together for their common interests
| and for the national welfare, II they
! 40 not do this. no governmental actiVi-
| ty. no legislation. not even better
| schools will greatly avail. The farm
| crs are nevertheless relatively unor-
! ganiZed We have only begun to de-
velop business cooperation in Ameri-
ca. Farmers do not influence legisla-
non as they should. They need a more
! fully organized social and recreatiVe
| life.
Spiritual. Forces-The forces and
I institutions that make for morality
and spiritual ideals among rural peo-
| pie must be energized. We miss the
| heart of the problem II we neglect to
foster personal character and neigh
| borhood righteousness. The best way
to preserve ideals for private conduct
and public life is to build up the insti-
tutions of religion. The church has
great power of leadership. The whole
people should understand that il is
vitally important to stand behind the
rural church and to help 1t to become
a great power in developing concrete
country life ideals. II is especially
important that the country church rec
oSniZe that it has a social responsible
ty to the entire community as well as
religious responsibility to its own
group of people.
Recommendations Of the Comm ssion.
The commission recommends all the
correctives that have been mentioned
under the head of The nature of the
remedies" 1t does not wish to dis
criminate between important meas
ures of relief for existing conditions.
1t has purposely avoided indorsinS
any particular bill now before con-
gress no matter what its value or OBJ
ject.
There are. however, in the opinion
of the commission. two or three great
movements of the utmost consequence
that should be set under way at the
earliest possible time. because they
are fundamental to the whole problem of
ultimate permanent reconstruction. these
call for special explanation
Taking Stock of Country Life
There should be organized. as eN-
planned in the main report under gov
ernmental leadership. comprehensive
tive Stt I,+