West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-23
RAILROADS AND FARMING.

One OF the hopeful aspects Of the
general agricultural situation OF the
country e is the interest which
leading railroad officials are taking in
the preaching OF the gospel of n better
type OF agriculture. Very naturally
this interest Is traceable to the fact
that with agriculture on n better foot
Ing n making IN increased contrlbu-
ton to the wealth OF the country bust
ness VIII be better In general and the
transportation business In particular.
But this interest is none the less COM
mendable because 1t is partly selfish.
FOR the benefits accruing will be first
TO agriculture and secondarily to trans
portauon companies. President James
j. 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 agricul-
turai products, and these inducements
have had n very beneficial effect in
nrousfng interest in better crops. A
Few weeks ~ In an address before
the Railway Business association in
New York city President w. @. Brown
OF the New York Central railroad stat
ed his Intention OF recommending to
the roads with which he was onnec
ed the purchase OF farms to be oper-
ated as experimental tracts according
20 the most advanced methods Of seed
selection, fertilization and cultivation
at the expense OF the road, but under
tho direction of the agricultural col
iege in b state in which the farm Is
located. 1t was his hope hat this idea
might be adopted by n 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 Tar increase its capacity TO sustain
and feed n growing population. This
railroad president is on the right track,
and 1t Is to be hoped that his sugge
lions may be carried out in full. Bet
ter farming-the getting of more prod
ucts from a given area without soil
depletion-is the greatest single eco
nomic problem before the American
people today, and too much thought
a hardly be devoted to its solution.
FUEL ECONOMY AND FRESH AIR.
In ATTITUDES where the severity of
the winter months makes the heating
OF b house one of the chief problems
there is quite a 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, a low physical one and a gen.
eral feeling of dumpiness more than
onset the fuel saved by shutting ont n
reasonable amount of fresh air. In the
sleeping rooms especially should the
windows be arranged so that there
VIII be an abundance of pure and
fresh air. II there Is fear Of catching
cold from direct drafts an excellent
plan IS to tack n piece Of cheesecloth
10 the window frame above the lower
edge as 1t hangs down TO the top Of
tho 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 percolate through.
Bres air is absolutely necessary If
the physical system is to be kept in
proper condition, but especially should
1t be provided in abundance for grow
Ing children. In addition TO the ven
tlation Of sleeping rooms, as referred
TO, IL Is well at frequent intervals
whe the weather is not too cold to
give the house a thorough airing from
cellar TO garnet. Fresh air is to be had
Tor nothing. and II should be utilized
more than It is for its health giving
properties.