The Democratic advocate., 1909-12-24
RAILROADS AND FARMING.

One of the hopeful aspects OF the
general agricultural situation Of the
country over is the interest which
leading railroad officials are taking in
the preaching of the gospel OF better
type of agriculture. Very naturally
this interest Is traceable to the fact
that with agriculture on better foot
ing and making an increased contribu-
ton to the wealth of the country busi-
ness will be better in general and the
transportation business in particular
But this interest is none the less COM
mendable because it is partly selfish.
for the benefits accruing will be first
to agriculture and secondarily to trans
portation companies. President James
T. Hill of the Great Northern has this
year offered substantial prizes to those
ranchmen in territory adjacent to his
lines for the best exhibits OF agr1cul'
tural products, and these inducements
have had a very beneficial effect in
arousing interest in better crops. A
few weeks ago in an address before
the Railway Business association In
New York city President W. G. Brown
of the New York Central railroad stat
ed his intention of recommending to
the roads with which he was connect
ed the purchase of farms to be oper-
ated as experimental tracts according
to the most advanced methods Of seed
selection, fertilization and cultivation
at the expense of the road, but under
the direction of the agricultural col
lege in the state in which the farm is
located 1t was his hope that this idea
might be adopted by majority of the
roads of the country. Such farms
would serve as object lessons in better
farming and would tend to greatly in
crease the productivity of land and In
so far increase its capacity to sustain
and feed growing population. This
railroad president is on the right track,
and il is TO be hoped that his sugges-
tions may be carried out in full, Bet
ter farming-the getting of more prod
ucts from q given area without SOIL
depletion-is the greatest single Geo.
nomic problem before the American
people today and TOO much thought
can hardly be devoted to its solution.
FUEL ECONOMY AND FRESH AIR.
In ATTITUDES where the severity Of
the winter months makes the heating
of the house one of the chief problems
there is quite temptation to sacrifice
fresh air in the attempt to reduce fuel
cost to a minimum. But this is short
sighted economy, in which doctors
bills, low physical tone and a gen.
eral feeling of dumpiness more than
offset the fuel saved by shutting out
reasonable amount of fresh air In the
sleeping rooms especially should the
windows be arranged so that there
will be an abundance of pure and
fresh air If there is fear of catching
cold from direct drafts an excellent
plan is to tack piece of cheesecloth
to the window frame above the lower
edge as it hangs down to the top of
the window sash. With this arrange
ment when the upper sash is lowered
the curtain is drawn tight and will
shut out direct drafts but will allow
the fresh air to percoIare through.
Fresh air is absolutely necessary if
the physical system is to be kept in
proper condition, but especially should
it be provided in abundance for grow
ing children. In addition to the ven
tilation of sleeping rooms, us referred
to, it is we'll at frequent intervals
when the weather is not too cold to
give the house "A thorough airing fruu,
cellar to garret Fresh air is to be had
for nothing, and ii should be utilized
more than it is :oI its health giving
properties.
A FINE HOG PASTURE PLAN.
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