The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-04
BY HUGH SUTHERLAND
Tenth letter.

TASTLEBAR. July l2.-In previous
letters I have attempted TO give
an abstract idea Of the great
work accomplished by the congested
districts board in meeting the acute
land problem OF the west-the trans
forming of tenants into proprietors. the
arrangement OF holdings. the improve
ment OF lands through the building of
roads. fences drains, etc. The facts
given have been chiefly statistical Facts
which I believe viii be even more ap-
pealing viii be given in descriptions of
what I actually saw in tours of some
hundreds Of miles through the districts
concerned.
Meanwhile we may consider briefly
what the board has accomplished in
other directions than the purcha and
improvement and resale of estates An
enormous work has been done in stirnu-
lating better methods Of agriculture. in
improving the fishing industry on the
west coast and in fostering manufactur-
ing Of various kinds
Object Lesson Farming
IN fact during the earlier years of
the boards operations agricultural de-
velopment was regarded as the most
important branch of the work, and un-
81 the task was transferred TO the re-
Gently formed department of agricul-
ture in 1904. most Of the boards income
was spent in various schemes for the
bctterment of agricultural and stock
raising methods. Object lessons were
given TO inform the people wherein they
might improve their tilling. Expert
mental farms were established and in
structors appointed to spread the knowl-
edge Of scientific farming and the prin-
eiples Of breeding. stations and bulls
OF high class were placed at the dis
pOsal OF farmers. and special encour-
sgement was given for improvements
in the breeding Of sheep. swine and
poultry. The expenditures were quite
heavy-sll0,OO0 on instruction. $500. 900
on horse breeding. $4,000 on cattle
breeding, $4,000 on sheep and swine,
$4,000 on poultry. etc.
Not all Of the schemes were success
fuL Indeed, it became apparent in time
that such work was of doubtful value
while the intolerable land system re-
nained to rob the farmer Of hope and
ambition. With the increase in the num-
Der OF tenants who have become own
ers the Development schemes have been
of more practical use, and permanent
benefits have accrued. IN All the board
spent more than 100000 in agricultural
work between 1891 and 1904.
Developing Fisheries
Another highly important and more
generally successful work has been the
development Of the fisheries of the west
coast Through various causes this
great Industry. especially on the west
aud northwest coasts. had greatly de-
clined. and heroic methods have been
employed 10 revive it. since in those dis
tricts it constitutes an element in the
support OF the inhabitants of the con-
gested districts. The board has con-
structed new or improved piers, slips
and other hsrbor facilities in AS diff
ferent places. most OF the works being
for the benefit Of the fisheries and some
for facilitating other trades. such as
the export OF turf or the landing OF sea
weed for manure.
other methods OF encoura agement
adopted we're the making of loans for
the purchase Of boats, nets and fishing
gear: the supplying of boats on the
share system; instruction in fishing and
the care OF nets: the promotion Of boat
building and barrel building. and the
development Of marketing facilities
Thus il win be seen that the task con-
fronting the authorities was virtually
the recreation Of an almost vanished
industry: but. huge as the task was,
II was attacked with vigor.
Policy Is Paternalism
As ] have pointed out previously
the policy is. frankly. paternalism. but
It is OF an intelligent and businesslike
character. Thus, the board bought vast
quantities Of fish all along the coasts
of Donegal, Mayo and Galway. and
shipped some Of it cured and some
fresh When the industry was no
longer an infant the board withdrew
from the work, but there are now so
private firms engaged in fish curing