Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-17
THE FARMER OF TODAY.
Real Industrial of MOney
Makers.
Washington Post.

Washington Post.
In the continued rising tide of prosperity,
as announced in every trade and crop re.
port, the center Of interest for the last few
months has been the tiller of the soil. From
being a figure regarded with mingled pity
and impotence, in view of his downtrodden
and apparently apathetic condition, he has
become an object of respectful attention.
so far as this country is concerned, at least,
the "Angelus'' and the Man With the
Hoe" are portraitures of one who was,
rather than OF a contemporary being, and
the Old Homestead" promises henceforth
to appeal only to the reminiscent sentiment
that still finds pleasure in Uncle Toms
Cabin and other such presentations Of
days that are past,
1t may be worth while to consider the
reason, or, rather, reasons, for this change.
Foremost must be placed the fact that the
best and richest of the vas public domains
OF the country have been taken up. Much
government land is stil u~noccupied, but the
true natural farming country has been
largely absorbed. The United States has
been opsn-handed In It's policy with regard
to It's public lands, and the agriculturists
OF this ana other countries have taken ad-
vantage OF the Hberality, until now there
Is not so much remaining to give away OF
to part with for a nominal sum. Proof OF
this is found in the increased migration to
British Columbia. The fertility of Mani
TOBIAS wheat lands has long been known,
but Americans are loath to leave their
native soil so long as equally good oppor-
tunities are found at home. Another proof
is found in the irrigation projects nov
underway in the semiarid regions of the
west, the development Of which as q prac-
teal measure would not have appealed
strongly to the farming element so long as
plenty OF good land remained unentered in
the regions of sufficient rainfall.
These facts being granted, the rapid en-.
hancement in the value of farm lands gen.
orally in recent years is easily understood
The western movement having been checked
to a considerable extent, the lands farther
east have naturally become more and NOR,
valuable, and there is no reason to looH
for a decrease in values. Good times OF
hard times, the farmer must fare well with
anything like present prices for his prod
ucts. -"
Another matter worthy of mention is tn,
improved methods employed on the farms
In bringing this about, the greatest credl
must be given the Department Of Agricul
ture. which has Of late years been carrying
on an unceasing campaign Of education
During the incumbency of Secretary VII
son, who rightly deserves the title of "th,
farmers friend" no opportunity has beer
neglected TO introduce into the agriculture
districts the best possible systems of pillow
ing, seed selection, cultivation, and so on
The farmer has much yet TO learn, but n,
is learning fast. and the old sloyenly way.
are fast giving place TO Intelligent an,
scientific methods. Theory and practic,
have been so wisely combined In these In
structions that the farmer has received OBJ
ject lessons he cannot decry; nor does n
want to
The era OF prosperity has met the farme
first. should hard times come, he will o.
the last 10 suffer. Happy is the fsrme
who lives in the dsD