The Yale expositor., 1909-02-12

awakened appreciation of the neces-
sity OF giving this phase of our ma
tional development much attention
as has been given to other phases or
interests; a quickened sense OF re-
sponsibility. in all the country people.
10 the community and the state in the
conserving of soil fertility, and in the
necessity for diversifying farming in
order to conserve this fertility and to
develop a better rural society, and
also in the better safeguarding of the
strength and happiness of the farm
women; a more widespread conviction
OF the necessity OF organization not only
for economic but for social pur-
poses. this organization to be more or
less cooperative. so that all the people
may share equally in the benefits and
have voice in the essential affairs OF
the community; a realization on the
part of the farmer that he has a dis
tinct natural responsibility toward the
laborer in providing him with good
living facilities. and in helping him in
every way TO be a man among men;
and a realization on the part OF all
the people of the obligation to protect
and develop the natural scenery and
attractiveness OF the open country.
Underlying Problem Of Country Life.
The commission has pointed out a
number of remedies that are extreme
ly important; but running through all
of these remedies are several great
forces or principles, which must be
utilized in the endeavor TO solve the
problems of country life. All the peo-
pie should recognize what these fun
damental forces and agencies are.
Knowledge-To improve any situ-
alton the underlying facts must be un-
derstood. The farmer must have ex-
act knowledge Of his business and of
the peculiar conditions under which
he works The United States depart
ment of agriculture and the expert
ment stations and colleges are rapidly
acquiring and distributing this knowl-
edge; but the farmer may not be able
TO apply IL to the best advantage be-
cause of lack of knowledge of his own
soils. climate. animal and plant dis
eases markets, and other local facts.
The farmer is entitled TO know what
are the advantages and disadvantages
of his conditions and environment. A
thorough going system of surveys in
detail of the exact conditions under
lying farming in every locality is now
an indispensable need TO complete and
apply the work of the great agricul-
tural institutions. AS an occupation,
agriculture is n means of developing
our internal resources; we cannot de-
velop these resources until we know
exactly what they are.
Education.-There must be not only a
fuller scheme of public education. but a
new kind Of education adapted to
the real needs of the farming peo-
pie. The country schools are TO be so
redirected that they shall educate their
pupils in terms of the daily life. Op-
portunties for training toward the
agricultural colleges are to be multi
piled and made broadly effective.
Ia4 81
young, in school or out of school, edu-
Gated or illiterate. must have a chance
to receive the information necessary
for successful business, and for
healthful. comfortable. resourceful life,
both in home and neighborhood. This
means redoubled efforts for better
country schools. and a vastly Increased
interest in the welfare of country boys
and girls on the part OF those who
pay the school taxes. Education by
means of agriculture is to be part
of our regular. public school work.
Special agricultural schools are to be
organized. There is to be well-de-
veloped plan of extension teaching
conducted by the agricultural colleges.
by means of the printed page, face-to-
face talks. and demonstration or OBJ
ject lesson, designed to reach every
farmer and his family, at or near their
homes, with knowledge and stimulus
in every department of country life.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES must be vast
enlargement of voluntary organized ef-
fort among farmers themselves. 1t is
indispensable that farmers shall work
together for their common interests
and for the national welfare. IL they
do not do this. no governmental activi-
ty, no legislation. not even better
schools. will greatly avail. The farm
ers are nevertheless relatively unor-
ganized. We have only begun TO de-
velop business cooperation In Amerl-
ca. Farmers do not influence legisla-
ton as they should. They need more
fully organized social and recreative
life.
Sniritual Forces.-The forces and
Institutions that make for morality
and spiritual ideals among rural peo-
pie must be energized. We miss the
heart of the problem IL we neglect TO
foster personal character and neigh
borhood righteousness. The best way
TO preserve ideals for private conduct
and public life is to build up the insti-
tutions OF religion, The church has
great power of leadership. The whole
people should understand that IL Is
vitality important to stand behind the
rural church and TO help II to become
a great power in developing concrete
country life ideals. IL is especially
important that the country church rec
ognize that IL has a social responsible
ty TO the entire community as well as
a religious responsibility to its own
group of people.
Recommendation Of the Commission.
The commission recommends all the
correctives that have been mentioned
under the head of THE nature OF the
remedies" IL does not wish to dis
criminate between important meas
ures of relief for existing conditions.
1t has purposely avoided indorsing
any particular bill now before con-
gress, no matter what its value or OBJ
ject.
There are. however. in the opinion
of the commission. two or three great
movements of the utmost consequence
that should be set under way at the
earliest possible time. because they
are fundamental TO the whole problem OF
ultimate permanent reconstruction; these
call for special explanation.
Taking Stock of Country Life
There should be organized. as ex-
planned in the main report, under gov
ernmental leadership comprehensive
plan for an exhaustive study or survey
Of all the conditions that surround the
business of farming and the people
who live in the country. in order to
take stock of our resources and TO
sVnDlv the farmer with local knoWl-