The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-02-12

that must be undertaken until ali the
people ere Informed on the whole sub
ject 81 rural life. and until there Ia an
awakened appra clation Of the nsces-
slty Of giving this phase Of our ma
tionsl development as much attention
as has been given 70 other phases or
interests: a Qulskened sense Of re-
aponsfbi!ity, in all the country people.
70 the community and The state IN the
conserving Of soil fertility. and in the
necessity for diyersifying farming In
order 20 conserve this fertility and 70
develop n better rural society, and
also In the better safeguarding Of tbs
strength and Happiness Of the farm
women: a more widsspread conviction
Of the necessity OF organization. not onlJ
for economic but for social par'
poses, this organization 20 be more OF
less cooperative. no that all the people
may share equally in the benefits and
have voice 10 the essential affairs Of
the community; n realization on the
part Of Tho farmer that he has dis
tInct natural responsibility toward ths
isborer In providing him with good
living facilities. and In helping him In
every way 10 he a man among men;
and a realization or the part OF All
tue people Of the obligation TO protect
and develop the natural scenery anc
Underlying Problem Of Country Life
The commission has pointed out 0
number Of remedies that are extreme.
ly important: but running through all
Of these remedies are several great
forces or principles. which must be
utllfzed In the endeHyor TO solve 1ht
problems OF country life. All the PEG.
pie should recognize what these fun
damentai forces and agencies are.
Knowledges-yT0 Improve any stu.
alton. the underlying facts must be un'
GeYstood The farmer must have oK'
act knowledge Of his business ana Of
the peculiar conditions under which
he works The United States depart
msut OF agriculture and the expert
ment stations and colleges are rapidlj
acquiring and distributing this knOwl'
edge; but the farmer may not be aDh
to apply IL 20 the best advantage be
cause OF lack Of knowledge Of his owl
soils, climate animal and plant dis
eases. markets. and other local facts
The farmer is entitled 10 know wha
are the advantages and oiEhdYAnthEei
of his conditions and environment \
thorough going system OF surveys IL
detail Of the exact conditions under
lying farming ia ovsry locality " no"
an indir pcusable need TO complete ant
apply the work OF tho great hgricul'
tural institutions A. an occupation
agriculture ~ a means OF developing
our Internal resources: we cannot do
yeiop these resources until we knON
exactly what they are.
Tducntion.-Thers must he not only .
fuller scheme Of public education, but 8
new KIND Of education adapted u
the real needs Of the farming PEG
pie. The country schools are 20 be "
redirscted that they shall educate theu
pupils In terms Of tho daily lie. Op
portGnities for training toward M
agricultural colleges are 10 be multi
piied and made broadly effective
Every person on the land. old Oh
Young. in school or out OF school cdu'
Gated or liliterate. must have a chancs
TO receive the information nrcetHRry
for a successful business. nud Tor o
| hoaithfui comfortable roFpurctful NE
both IN home ana nelghbOfh1pd. Inn
| means redoubled efforts Tor b"it"i
country schools. and n vastly Increased
interest In the welfare Of country boy'
ard girls on the part Of those who
pay the school taxes. Education ~
means OF agriculture In to be part
~ our regular public school work
| gpeciaI agricultural schools are 20 b'
organized. There IT, to De q ""l-h"
| yoioped plan Of extension saachihs
| conductsd by the agricultural colleges
| By means Of the printed page. face-io
| face talks. and denomination or Oh
| iect lesson. designed 20 reach ever
| farmer and his family, Rt or near theii
homes, with knowledge and htlmnlui
| I'm every department OF country life.
| DrRa must be vas
| enlargement Of voluntary organized "f
fort among farmers themselves u y
| Indispensable that farmers shall Worl
together for their common INTEREST,"
and for the national welfare. " mel
do not DO this. no governmental acuyi
| ~. no Legislation. not even bcttc
| schools. will greatly avail The iarm
| erF are nevertheless relatively unpr
Rsnizod. We have only begun 20 de-
| velop business cooperation In Amer
| "a. Farmers do not influence legiAia
ton az they should. They need m"r'
fully organized social and recrenuF'
| l.fe.
gpirituai Forces THE forces AM
| Institutions that make for morality
and spiritual ideals among rural pc"
pIa must be energizod. We miss IN
| heart of the problem N we neglect v
foster personal character and neigh
| borhood rlghteousnesE The best wa
| 10 preserve Ideals for private conduc
and public life II 20 build up the insu
/ tutIons Of religion. The church ha
| great power OF leadership. The Who'll
people should und, stand that u y
| vitality important 10 stnnd behlnd w
rural church and 10 help II 10 boeoni
A great power In developing concret
country life ideals IL II especlhlI'
| tmportnnt that the country church rec
| oRnlze that ~ has a social resp1hslDili
~ TO the entire community as wei a
a religious responsibility 70 JUS owl
| group Of people.
Recommendations Of the Commission
The commission recommends oil "a
correctiyss that have been mchtloh"
under the head OF The nature OF IN
remedies" II does not Wish 20 diA
criminato between important meas
urep OF relief for existing condition.
IL has purposeiy avoided lndorsini
any particuiar bill now before con
gross, no matter what it's value or Oh
iect.
There are. however. In the opinio
| Of the commIngion. two or three gren
movements OF the utmost conAcduenc
mat should be set under way NJ N
earliest possible time. because the
are fundamental TO tho whole problem
ultimate permanent reconstrueuon: thes
call for special explanation
Taking Stock OF Country Lfe.-
There should be Organized. ~ en-
planned In the main report. under gov
ernmental leadership, comprehenslV
| 10, o., an .xhaustiye study or HurVe