Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-01-28
LURE OF THE COUNTRY.

Isolation and nonproft have been
chief factors in sending rural popula-
tion into the cities. But the rural
mail, rural phone and the certainty
that country roads will soon be bet
tered are removing the one, and the
promised permanency of higher prices
for farm products will remedy the
other. Primitive agriculture is swift
ly passing and the modern science is
taking its place. The long horned
COW and the long legged hog are in the
scrap heap. Books, magazines and
the daily newspaper are in thousands
Of country homes where once there
was not much more of literature than
the family Bible, the almanac and a
few school books Many farm home
has comforts luxuries and convenience
es that multitudes of city dwellers are
denied. Those who look out into the
country as a place Of benlghtedness
and rudeness are uniformed. There
are still primitive homes and still un-
culture and unsophistication in spots,
but the lump is swiftly leavening.
A country life with its social circles
its literary atmosphere and its general
air Of thrift is already here in
Oregon, and is in rapid evolution. Per-
manent high prices for farm products
will vastly forward the process of
Transformation. When every crop
from the soil, as now, brings a hand
some reward, there is incentive for
endeavor. The larger rewards will
send the farm boys and girls to col
lege and bring them back again to add
culture and refinement to rural life
and science and organization to rural
industry. They are encouragement
for stabler farming and more esthetic
home building. They are warrant to
young men TO embrace agriculture as
a life work that promises eompensa-
tlon both in dollars and in independ-
ence and happiness.
There Is a new lure now in the coun-
try. 1t should appeal to the bank
clerk with auto taste and wheelbarrow
salary. II offers dellverance to thous-
ands Of city clerks. accountants, un-
successful business men and others
who strive to keep up champagne ap-
pearances on a beer income. II is a
one-sided struggle with many a one
OF them with his strength always
spent in keeping his head above water.
More than one Is in effect a prisoner
serving a sentence because he Is rooted
and chained 10 his job. and so pinched
in the struggle TO make ends meet
that he cannot quit because OF fear Of
starvation for himself and family. It
Is a case where life Is a perpetual
struggle against bills and survival
question OF how many comforts, con-
vsniences. indeed even. how much food
can be sacrificed.
For all such. a spot OF land in the
country. fresh eggs. vegetables, home
made preserves. country sausage. ber-
ries and fruits in season, all these
and a hundred other edibles for the
table, and fresh air, brilliant sunshine
and the great outdoors for the children
20 play In. are a few OF the joys OF
the country. These and other com
pensations are within easy reach OF
many a city dweiler. and they are
compenaatons that n he can seek
them. would swiftly unchain him from
his present unrequlted and prospect
less servitude. II IL the caIi Of the
country. and the more It is needed the
better FOR the republic and its millions.
Portland Journal.