The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-02-09

your druggist uses the genuine Virgin
Oil OF Pine compound pure, prepared
and guaranteed only by the Leach Chem
zeal Co, Cincinnati, o.
the most dignined, desirable and sought
after ways Of earning llvlng-the
farmer must take advantage not only
OF the agricultural knowledge which
Is az his disposal, but Of the methods
which have raised and continue Il
raise the standards OF living and of
intelligence In other calllngs.
Those engaged In all other industrial
and commercial callings have found
It necessary under modern economic
conditions TO organize themselves for
mutual advantage and fer the protec-
tion Of their own particular interests
In relation to other interests. The
farmers of every progressive Euro
pean country have realized this essen
tial fact and have found In the CO.
operative system exactly the form OF
business combination they need.
Now, whatever the state may do to-
ward improving the practice of agri-
culture, It Is not within the sphere Of
any government TO reorganize the
farmers business or reconstruct the
social life of farming communities.
II is, however. quite within its power
to use its influence and the machinery
OF publicity which It can control for
calling public attention to the needs
and the facts. For exam p e. II is the
obvious duty OF the government 10 cali
the attention of farmers to the grow.
ing monopolization of water power.
The farmers, above all, should have
that power, on reasonable terms, for
cheap transportation, for lighting their
homes and for innumerable uses in
the daily tasks on the farm.
Farmers Own Work Needed,
1t would be idle to assert that life
on the farm occupies as good a posi-
ton in dignity, desirabillty and bust
ness results as the farmers might
easily give II II they chose One OF
the chief difficulties is the failure of
country life as it exists at present to
satisfy the higher social and intellec-
tual aspirations of country people
whether the constant draining away
of so much of the best elements in the
rural population into the towns is due
chiefly TO this cause or to the superior
business opportunities Of city life may
be open 10 question. But no one at
all familiar with farm life throughout
the United States can fail to recognize
the necessity for building up the life
OF the farm upon its social as well as
upon its productive side.
1t is true that country life has i'm
proved greatly In attractiyeness, health
and comfort and that the farmers
earnings are higher than they were.
But city life is advancing even more
rapidly because Of the greater atten-
ton which is being given by the citi-
zens of the towns TO their own better
ment. For just this reason the intro
ductfon of effective agricultural CO.
operation throughout the United States
Is Oh Tue uibt lAupol taASt- y 49,
farmers are organized comparatively
they not only avail themselves much
more readily of business opportunities
and improved methods, but 1t is found
that the organizations which bring
them together In the work Of their
lives are used also for social and in
tellectual advancement.
The cooperative plan IS the best
plan of organization wherever men
have the right spirit to carry it out,
Under this plan any business under.
taking is managed by a committee
Every man has one vote and only one
vote. and every one gets profits ac-
cording to what he sells or buys or
supplies. 1t develops individual re-
sponsibility and has moral as well |
as financial value over any other
plan.
Farmers Problems the Whole country's
desire only to take counsel with
the farmers as fellow citizens. 1t liz
hot the problem Of the farmers alone
that | am discussing with them, but
a problem which affects every city as
well as every farm In the country. II
Is a problem which the working farm
ers will have to solve for themselves,
but 1t il a problem which also affects
in only less degree all the rest Of us, |
and therefore If we can render any I
help toward its solution it is not only
our duty but our interest to do 50.
The foregoing will, hope, make it
clear why ! appointed commission to
consider problems of farm life which
have hitherto had far too little atten-
ton and the neglect of which has not
only held back life In the country, but /
also lowered the efficiency Of the whole
nation. The welfare of the farmer Is
Of vital consequence to the welfare of
the whole community The strength
ening OF country life, therefore, is the
strengthening of the whole nation.
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