The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1909-01-01

A FARMERS PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION.
The old problem to how to keep the young
generation the farm is one that has been dis
cussed ever since the first boys and girls were
raised farms and grew up and went away to
the city. 1t has been discussed by parents and
farm paper editors and institute lecturers-but
boys and girls still go away to the city, and many
of them learn only after long years OF hard ex-
perence that the farm holds more for them than
they will ever find elsewhere.
This problem, however, appears to be nearer
a solution at this time than it has ever been
before, although the arguments of parents and
farm paper editors and institute lecturers have
not been wholly responsible for this.
The most potent factor in this changing condi-
ton is the adoption of labor saving machinery
and appliances and modern methods on the farm
and the consequent elimination of much of the
drudgery and unpleasant work that has turned
many young people toward the city in an effort
to find more congenial employment. Power is
being installed to do more quickly and better
work which has been heretofore done by manual
labor. With the commercial still manufactured
and advertised in The Ranch by The Moran Com
pany, the progressive farmer is converting his
waste products into denatured alcohol to be used
as fuel in the engine that will operate his dairy
machinery, his wood and relieve him of
much of the drudgery. The Beeman- Woodward
Co., of Portland; The Perne Machinery Co., of
Seattle; The Northwest Iron Works, Fairbanks
& Company the Stickney Engine Works, the
White Lily Manufacturing Co., are all advertis
ing in this issue their engines and their free
books that will help you solve this problem.
Write to them and see IL tney Will not give you
further light on this important question.
Along with this modern conveniences be-
ing installed in the farm homes, and the social
life of the country is becoming attractive.
The effect that modern inventions have had
this phase of farm life is well illustrated by the
following story
Jones Gas we will call him for convenience
a prosperous ranch owner He and his
wife had every reason to be satisfied with their
lot A snug bank account, a large and well man.
aged ranch, ambitious son just graduated from
the state college, and bright daughter of eight
cen, all contributed to their happiness. Jones,
like most fathers, had his ambitions in regard
to the future of his children He wished his
son to learn ranching thoroughly and eventually
to succeed in the management of the ranch. He
wanted his daughter also to remain at home until
she should marry and in that event he hoped
her choice of a husband would be some neigh
boring young ranchman.
Both children had always appeared to be per-
fectly happy at home, but as time went on they
showed symptoms of loneliness. Fearing that
this might in time lead to a desire for a more
exciting life and that the old ranch would be-
come a hardship rather than pleasure, Jones
and his wife put their heads together in the hopes
of finding means of giving their children more
social life. 1t seemed rather hopeless PROPOSE
ton but one day an advertisement in farm
magazine attracted Jones' attention. 1t stated
that the Western Electric Company was selling
standard telephone apparatus to the general pub
lie and that book would be sent free upon re-
quest describing telephone system suitable to
rural communities.
Jones Immediately wrote for this book entitled
Rural Telephone Equipments" and upon it's
ceipt began putting his plans into operation.
First, he visited number of ranch owners with
whom he was acquainted and secured their CO.
operation. A meeting held and corpora
tion formed. Other farmers and ranchmen became
interested and in due course of time a rural
telephone system reality. This system was
connected with the nearest town which had long
distance connection.
The system was a success from the start
Jones' children had many young friends in that
part of the state and the telephone service brought
them in touch with another the sense of
isolation and loneliness disappeared.
But the benefits derived from this telephone
system were not in the way of pleasure alone.
News could now be obtained at any time from
the town and outside world. Crop and weather
reports, market conditions and prices all were
received regularly.