The Mena weekly star., 1909-02-11

" ANtNAtftotiOh VII tht BhAtN OA dD
 the people of the obligation to protect
 and develop the natural scenery and
 attractiveness of the open country.
 Certain remedies lie with voluntary organizations and institutions. All or. ganiZed forces, both in town and coun try should understand that there are country phases as well as city phases of our civilization. and that one phase needs help as much as the other All these agencies should recognize their responsibility to society Many exist ing organizations and institutions might become practically cooperative or mutual in spirit, as. for example, all agricultural societies, libraries, Young Mems Christian associations, and churches. All the organizations stand ing for rural progress should be fed erated, in state and nation.
 Underlying Problem of Country Life.
 The commission has pointed out a number of remedies that are extreme ly important; but running through all of these remedies are 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 situa- tion. the underlying facts must be un- derstood. The farmer must have ex- act knowledge of his business and of the particular 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- edgej 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. A thorough-going system of surveys in detail of the exact conditions under lying farming in every locality is now an indispensable need to complete and apply the work of the great agricui. tural institutions. As an occupation. agriculture is a means of developing our internal resources; we cannot de- velop these resources until we know exactly what they are.
 to the real needs of the farming peo- ple. The country schools are to be so redirected that they shall educate their pupils in terms of the daily life. Op- portunities for training toward the agricultural callings are to be multi piled and made broadly effective. Every person on the land, old or cated or illiterate, must have chance to receive the information necessary for a successful business, and for a healthful comfortable, resourceful life, both in home and neighborhood. This means redoubled efforts for better country schools, and a 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 be organized. There is to be a well-de- veloped plan of extension teaching conducted by the agricultural colleges. by means of the printed page, face-to- face talks. and demonstration or ob 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.
 Organization.-Ther must be vast enlargement of voluntary organized ef- fort among farmers themselves. It is indispensable that farmers shall work together for their common interests and for the national welfare. If they do not do this, no governmental activi- ty, no legislation, not even better schools will greatly avail. The farm CTS are nevertheless relatively unor- ganized. We have only begun to de- velop business cooperation in Ameri- ca. Farmers do not influence legisla- tion as they should. They need a more fully organized social and recreatiye life.
 Spiritual Forces.--The forces and institutions that make for morality and spiritual ideals among rural peo- pie must be energized. We miss the heart of the problem If 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 it is vitally important to stand behind the rural church and to help 1t to become great power fin developing concrete country life ideals. It is especially important that the country church rec ognize that it has a social responsibili- ty to the entire community as well as a religious responsibility to its own group of people.
 Recommendation of the Commission.
 The commission recommends all the correctives that have been mentioned under the head of The nature of the remedies" It does not wish to dis criminate between important meas ures of relief for existing conditions. It has purposely avoided indorsing any particular bill now before con gross, no matter what it's value or ob- 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