The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1909-05-13
Farmers Cooperative Demen
stration Work.

Farmers Cooperative Demen-
| stration Work.
The following is substance of a
bulletin issued by DR.. S. A. Knapp:
The faamers' Cooperative De-
monstration Work aims at several
things.
I. To reform agriculture and
make it an occupation of profit
and pleasure.
2. To improve rural conditions.
3. To broaden and enrich rural
life.
a. To make the farm attractive
and country residence desirable.
Every substantial advance in the
progress of human society costs
money and must be maintained by
an increased earning capacity of
the masses. If the earning capaci-
ty of people is only sufficient to
supply food and clothing, progress
is blocked and it is useless TO in
sist upon better houses, more home
comforts, schools, or any other up
ward step. The problem is.are the
farmers of the State of Mississippi
unwilling to provide the better
ments which progressive civiliz-
alton in the country demands
comfortable dwellings with impr y
ed home and farm equipment,
good schools, libraries, rural free
delivery. telephones, etc.-or do
they lack the necessary money?
Upon this answer depends the
proper remedy for existing condi-
tions. If the farmers are too poor.
steps should be taken to increase
their earning capacity; if they are
able but unwilling, their rural
pride should be aroused and the
force of public opinion brought to
bear. Nearly every farmer, even
among the poorest, will clothe his
family better, improve his home,
and add conveniences If his income
is sufficient. He wants all that the
best civilization can give him if he
can get it. This being true, in
crease the income of the farmers of
this State and the first step neces-
sary to uplift will have been taken.
The average income of the farm
ers in this State is scarcely sufficient
to maintain the civilization now
existing, ignoring progress and
this fact does not present the whole
truth of thesi tuation. Now how
can the earning capacity OF the
farmers of Mississippi be increased
In many ways. The Improvement
of country schools, or. rather the
establishment of real schools for
country. Many leading educators
believe that the country school has
yet to be established. It has been
said with great force that "the ex-
isting country schools are but poor
ly equipped city schools located in
the country. County agricultur-
al schools, in which the main work
shall be to impart knowledge that
tends to make successful farmers
and good citizens, may be establish
ed in every county. Farmers insti-
tutes should be held in every neigh
borhood in every county In the state
at feast once each year. County
departments of agriculture should
be established in every county in
| the State. Our A and NJ. College
ought TO be the pride Of every citi-
zen aud-the State ought to make
4 liberal appropriations for its sup
port. The State department of
deserves the unqualified support OF
agriculture every man interested
Ia the material welfare OF
Mississippi We ought tosub-
scribe for the agricultural papers
published ID our State. The ex-
pertinent stations are the fountain
sources ofinformation and deserve
liberal appropriations.
Al OF the above named agencies