Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-02-11
ncatlonal work or the nation;

| e~A@NA
ulation, legislation in respect to riv
ers, forests, and the utilization o
swamp lands;
Increasing the powers Of the fed
eral government in respect to thu
supervision and control OF the publ,
health;
1 Providing such regulations as will
enable the states that do not permit
the sale Of liquors to protect them
selves from traflc from adjoining
states.
In setting all these forces In motion
the cooperation of the states will b
necessary; and In many cases definite
state laws may greatly aid the work.
Remedies OF more general nature
are: A broad campaign Of publicity
that must be undertaken until all the
people are informed on the whole sub
ject of rural life, and until there Is an
awakened appreciation of the neces
sity Of giving this phase Of our ma
tlonal. development as much attention
as has been given to other phases OF
interests; q quickened sense of re-
sponsibility, in all the country people,
to the community and the state in the
conserving Of soil fertility, and in the
necessity for diversifying farming In
order to conserve this fertility and to
develop a better rural society, and
also in the better safeguarding Of the
strength and happiness Of the farm
women; more widespread conviction
Of the necessity Of organization, not
only for economic but for social pur-
poses, this organization to be more or
less cooperative, SO that all the people
may share equally in the benefits and
have voice In the essential affairs Of
the community; q realization on the
part Of the farmer that he has dis
tinct natural responsibility toward the
laborer in providing him with good
living facilities, and in helping him In
every way to be q man among men;
and realirn'ion on the part Of all
the people OF the obligation to protect
and develop lie 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 shouid recognize their
Tesponsibility 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
Grated, in state and nation.
Underlying Problem Of Country Life.
The commission has pointed out
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.
tlon, 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-
edge; but the farmer may not be able
to apply It to the best advantage bo-
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
ire the advantages and Disadvantages
81 his conditions and environment. A
Lhorough-golng system Of surveys IN
ietaIl Of the exact conditions under
IyIng farming in every locality is now
IN indispensable need to complete and |
lpply the work of the great agricul-
.ural institutions. AZ IN occupation,
agriculture is q means Of developing
,ur internal resources; we cannot de-
Ielop these resources until We know
Ixactly what they are.
o the real needs Of the farming peo-
lie. The country schools are to be 80
edirected that they shall educate their
'upils in terms of the daily life. op-
'ortunities for training toward the
.gricultural calllngs are to be niolti-
lied and made broadly effective.
livery person on the land, old or
oung, In school or out Of school, edu-
ated or illIterate, must have a chance
o receive the information necessary
or a successful business, and for q
edthful, comfortable. resourceful life,
9th in home and neighborhood. This
leans redoubled efforts for better
ountry schools, and a vastly increased
interest IN the welfare Of country boys
nd girls on the part Of those who
az the school taxes. Education By
loans Of agriculture is TO be q part
our regular public school work
pecial Agricultural schools are TO be