The Democratic advocate., 1909-04-23
BACK no NATURE.
Tide Is Turning From the CITY to tho
Country.

T - - g = ,t%N~ #T~~ fr"NI ~ N-@Nf
Country.
It is not so long ago that the pro-
portion Of drift from country to city
was SO great as to create serious
economic and sociological problem.
The agricultural sections we're drain
ed Of their population while the ac-
cretions added to the congestion which
prevails in all large cities. A factor
in impelling this tide Of humanity was
the notion that In city Is wealth. To-
day men are needing that in the coun-
try is health The tide has turned away
from the city and back to nature, with
the promise of natural balance OF
population.
II is easier today to keep the boy
or girl on the farm. Primitive ways
Of living have given way to the mod
ern improvements that make for COM
fort, while the drudsery Is erased by
the labor-saying appliances The best
OF education may be obtained, while
the rural free delivery brings plenty
Of books, magazines and newspapers
with their refining and enlightening
influences. to the farmhouse door.
The day OF the tallow dip has gone,
and with his modern conveniences the
farmer has the additional advantage
Of the freedom of out-of-doors which
/ the city man Is now coyeting. to say
nothing OF HIS opportunity TO make
profitable living out Of his sales to
the hungry cities.
When men built towns they neceg-
sarily limited their opportunity TO
enjoy nature. AS the congestion grew,
fresh air, the flowers and the fields
were pushed farther away. II took
sometiale to appreciate their loss, but
the rapid development Of suburban
baltimore is proof OF the fact that the
/ generation IL city-tired and has it's
eye fixed on the country. There Is n
difference, OF course. between subur-
ban life and life on the farm, but the
drift is In that direction. It's the city
for business and the country for
home.
Not all who long for the country
may have u, however, and the nnfor-
4 tpnate feature Is that those who need
/ Il most obtain Il least. To these the
/ modern city owes an obligation 70 re-
( store. so far as possible. the natural
I advantages Of which city-buiIding has
/ deprived them. Evidence OF real
/ izatlon OF this obligation ia to be
found IN municipal parks. Fairgrounds
and breathing spots. No city has
enOGKb 81 theni--ichsf of all Balti-
more, The well-to-do citizens With
his suburban home. 20 which the
hreezes have free access, with the
green fields near at hand. and the
country gentleman, can afford 10 have
pity for the tired mothers and the de-
iccted children who are doomed 10
etuhy huta or germ-la laden tenementn
Movements 70 build parks. civic centera
Fairgrounds aud the like ought 20 re-
eeiye the hesrtiest support from those
that have much while 30 many have
littlc. The city. too. must not ba
lacking In enterprise 10 bring nature
back 20 tho people. More parks aud
more Fairgrounds are the need --nnd
incidentally. Il IL folly to look upon
parks aa municipal adoSnmeDts. aud
10 fettsr them abOM with rules that
deny popular enjoyment There il no
panacaH like natures fresh air, green
grAas aud sunshine. Those who can
seek Il IN the country. for those who
cannot Il ought 20 be supplied In tho
city In greater abundance.