Mexico Missouri message., 1909-02-11

thut must Oe undertaken until All the
people are informed on the whole sub
ject of rural life, and until there is an
awakened appreciation OF the neoes-
Hity Of giving this phase of our ma
tional development aB much attention
az has been given TO other phases or
interests; n quickened sense Of re-
sponHibility, In ali the country people,
90 the community and the state In the
conserving OF soil fertility. and In the
necessity for diversifying farming in
order TO conserve thia fertility and TO
develop better rural society, and
also in the better safe guarding OF the
strength and happiness OF the farm
women; more widespread conviction
OF the necessity OF organisation, not only
for economic but for social pur-
poses. this organization TO be more or
less cooperative. 80 that all the people
may share equally In the beneftn and
have voice In the essential afairs Of
the community; n realization on the
part OF the farmer that he has dis
tinct natural responsibility toward the
lRborer In providing him with good
| living facilities. and In helping him in
every way 10 be n man among men;
and realization on the part OF all
tue 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 q
number of remedies that are extreme
ly important; but running through all
OF these remedies are several great
Sprccs or principles. which must he
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.
KnowlcdRe.-To improve any situ-
alton. the underlying facts must be un.
".
act knowledge Of his business and Of
the peculiar conditions under which
he works. The United States depart.
mcnt Of agriculture and the expert.
mcnt stations and colleges are rapidly
acquiring and distributing this knowl.
edge: but the farmer may not be able
to apply II TO the best advantage be-.
cause OF lack of knowledge of his own
soils. climate. animal and plant dis
eases. markets. and other local fRcta
The farmer ls entitled to know what
are the advantages and disadvantage
of his conditions and environment. a
thorough going system OF surveys ir
detail OF the exact conditions under
lying farming In every locality is nov
an Indispensable need to complete nnc
apply the work OF the great agricul.
turul institutions. As an occupation
agriculture is means OF developing
our Internal resources; We cannot de-
vclop these resources until We know
cNnctly what they are.
EducatIon.-Ther must he not only 9
fuller scheme of public education, but q
new kind OF education adapted g
the real needs OF the farming peo
pie. The country schools are to be sc
rcdlrected that they shall educate theN
pupils in terms Of the daily life. Op'
portunitics for training toward the
agricultural colleges are to be multi
piled and made broadly effective
Every perRon on the land. old ol
young In school or out OF school. edu'
Gated or iliiterate must have chance
to receive the information necessary
for successful business, and for
heaithful. comfortable. resourceful life
both In home and neiRhborhoOd. Thii
means redoubled efforts for better
country schools. and n vastly Increased
interest In the welfare OF country boyi
and girls on the part of those who
pay the school taxes. Education by
means OF agriculture is 60 be par
of our regular public school work
Special agricultural schools are to be
organized. There IL TO be n well-de'
vcloped plan OF extension tencbinS
conducted by the agricultural colleges
by means Of the printed page. face-to
face talks. and demonstration or oh
iect lesson. designed to reach everS
farmer and his family. Rt or near thciI
homes with knowledge and Etimului
in every department OF country life.
OrganiZation.-There must be n vaS'
enlargement ofvoluntary organized cf
fort among farmers themselves. II u
Indispensable that farmers shalt worl
together for their common Interests
and for the national welfare. II the!
do not do this. no governmental aetivi'
ty. no legislation, not even better
schools. will greatly avail The farm
ers are nevertheless relatively uhOr.
NanNH nj n Ia
velop business cooperation In Ameri'
ca. Farmers do not influence ieRislR'
ton nH they should. They need mort
fully organized social and recreativ'
life.
Spiritual ForceA-The forces ant
institutions that make for mornlit!
and spiritual ideals among rural peo'
pie must he energized. We miss the
heart of the problem ~ We neglect a
foster personal character and neigh
borhood righteouHness. The best way
to preserve ideals for private conduc'
and public life In to build up the insti'
tutions OF religion. The church hai
great power of leadership. The whols
people should understand that IL IL
vitality important TO stand behind tht
rural church and to help 10 to becomt
great power In developing concrete
country life ideals. II IL especially
important that the country church rec.
~ TO the entire community as well ai
a religious responsibility TO It's owT
group OF people.
Recommendation OF the Commission
The commission recommends all tn,
correctives that have been mentioned
under the head OF The nature OF tn,
remedies" IL does not wish To dis.
criminate between important meas
ures OF relief for existing conditions
Il has purposely avoided indorsing
any particular bill now before con
greas. no matter what it's 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 tht
earliest possible time. because they
are fundamental 20 the whole problem Oi
ultimate permanent reconstruction; thess
call for special explanation.
Taking Stock OF Country Lite.-
There should be organised. aH ex.
planned In the main report. under gov.
ernmental leadership, a comprehensive
plan for an exhaustive study or survey
- ia.