The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-02
TOUCHING IN HOPE
Making Farmers Out of the Immi- grant Jews Who Come to the Con- gestion of the Big Cities.
BELLE LINDNER ISRAEL

gestfon of the Big Cities.
 BELLE LINDNER ISRAELS.
 Exclusive Service The Survey Press
 Bureau.)
 Right in the heart of a square mile of dirty, noisy streets filled with anaemic men and dragged-out women. Pale, nervous girls and boys. the coun- ty fair blossomed. Up on tine roof of the Educational Alliance. at East Broa dway and Jefferson street. in the very heart of New York city. the first Jewish agricultural fair was held. Chickens matched in the incubator and grew in the brooder. Cream was sep arated in the most approved manner. bees stored honey, and housewives bearned on rows of canned fruits and vegetables. wonderful loaves of Sab bath bread and plates of cookies and ance than those displayed on push carts in the street below. Fresh vegetables. prize pumpkins. fancy to- matoes. tall corn stalks. big potatoes and all sorts of learned pamphlets and new appliances told the story of farm ing in modern fashion.
 The first Jewish agricultural fair was the result of the Federation or Jewish Farmers organized a year ago Certain societies having for their ob- jects the distribution of Jewish immi- grants and the encouragement of a re- tarn to the soil brought about this conference between the people whom they have succeeded in establishing on farms. The work of these societies complements the two Jewish agricul- tural schools. the Baron de Hirsch school at Woodbine, N. J.. and the National Farm School at Doylestown. Pa The federation represents dis tricts in whieh Jewish farmers are ac- tive and the delegates met during the progress of the fair to discuss matters of mutual interest The propaganda of the advocates of farming for Jews has also been carried on at the fair and lectures for farmers and other visitors who might be interested, were a daily feature.
 The principal matter discussed was the establishment of a central market in New York which would serve two purposes: to give the farmers a ready outlet for their produce, and to sup ply the East Side. if the market could find place there, with many fresh knows now only by the decayed speci- mems of undoubted antiquity offered for sale on neighborhood carts-
 By far the most striking features Of the exhibit were the people who ac- companied it. The difference in per sonality between those on the sidewalk and those in the exhibition room was so vivid that it was startling. Rosy cheeks and quiet. for the girls in place of the excited or anae- micaly depressed. tired faces. of the neighborhood girls Broad shoulders and tanned faces for the men, athletic figures for the boys. and vigorous. en, ergetic movements characterized all one saw in the gymnasium or on the roof of the alliance. The farmers and their sons and daughters seem to find4 good company in all outdoors They seem well pleased with being free from city streets. And for their intelects, the problems of modern agriculture of fer food enough. It is true that many more of the students from the agricul- tural schools get into scientific farm ing and dairying than buy farms of their own. Why should they not? This is the tendency of the times Is there any reason why boys should re- main clerks at ten dollars a week in the small retail stores. when they can be fifteen dollar a week cogs in the big wheels of organized industry?
 The schools at Woodbine and Doyles- town had effective exhibits at the fair. Woodbine's was more live because students were on hand to demonstrate it's features. Bee culture as explain ed by the students and illustrated by one of their hives. attracted the larg- est audiences. And the people about the exhibit talked with enthusiasm of their homes in the country. The younger generation is very evidently held to the farm by its interest in the problems of modern agriculture The children read the papers and maga- zines published in English for the farmer. and translate for the parents so that the guidance offered is effec- tive. The Jewish Agricultural and Industrial Aid Society publishes a farm journal in Yidcish edited by Professor Pincus of the Woodbine school. a grad Uate of that institution. The little children of the farm colonies in New Sersey-Norma. Rosenhair and others some specimens of their produce were exhibite6- Several gardeners had dec crative plants on view.
 The fair was extraordinary in show ing the working of the leaven of the idea preached assiduously by the lead CTS of American Jews who advocate a return to the soil The Jew Is return ing. In numbers the farmers are not yet imposing and failures and sue cesses have been proportioned as they undoubtedly are in other occupations. But the immigrant Jew is finding his farm a source of wonder. too. In this country he may own land and what he produces is his own Not only may he own the lard. but the government official who is his enemy h Russia is hele his friend. and no matter that af- fects the farmer is too small to claim his assistance. He is helping. not hindering the farmer. The assistant secretary of agriculture went to the opening of the fair and told how much it meant to his government and theirs that these farmers should succeed To be a part of a nation and a factor in it's growth is a new role for the immi- grant Jew from Eastern Europe.
 Inspiration is not lacking. The fair and the feders ton brought it to those who stay behind in city homes who certainly showed eagerness to imbibe the teachings df this session. With the perfecting of the organization. the establishment of a central market and proper nurture of a budding growth. Jewish agriculturalists should soon be as successful as the competent farm CTS of other nationalities who make their homes in the United States.