The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-03-25
No. XII.

Since the idea of conservation of our.
natural resources has taken root in the
public mind, attention has been direct
ed more than heretofore to the study
of the occupancy of the land and its
effective use for agricultural produc-
ton. We read, on the one hand, of the
great exodus from the country to the
city, due to the higher prices paid for
labor in the city and the greater social
advantages offered there. Statistics.
which have been accumulated, prove
that this shifting of the population
from the country to the city is seri-
GUS menace to the continued production
OF food materials in sufficient quantity
for our increasing population. On the
other hand, other writer's with eouat
persistence call attention TO the mlgra
ton of the discontented inhabitants OF
cities back to the land. At times W.
would almost be led to believe that
these movements in our population must
almost balance each other, and there
fore lead to a sort of stability in the
change the farms get much the worst
OF the bargain. Farm boys who go to
cities take with them the health and
energy which are likely to lead to sue
cess under the conditions of city life.
and the novelty of urban conditions
sustains them during the few months
required for becoming established. On
the other hand, too many of the diseon-
oit
country, find conditions too monotonous
and having no personal interest in farm.
life, and being without the practical
information which can bring success,
soon become discouraged and return to
the city. In the meantime, the land
occupied by such individuals has not
yielded what it should or has been in
jured by indiscreet management.
The remarkable rise of prices for all
foodstuffs and clothing materials has
led to an investigation of the cause of
these phenomena by private individ-
uals and Various government officials
Even making generous allowance for
the influence of our laws, our manner
of living and our system of industrial
organization, it still remains obvious
that one of the reasons for the great
actual shortage in these materials. This
shortage can be made up only by in
creased production; and increased pro
duction, in turn, can be brought about
only by better farming ON the area of
land already in cultivation, and by put
ting into cultivation areas which now
lie idle. Among orr foremost needs as.
a Nation, and in every State and Terri
fnN#k NJ hA Nats fsg..
more and better farmers. When We Sc,
cure more and better farmers We will
have more and better agricultural prod
ucts, and prices for foodstuffs, while.
still remunerative to the producer, will
not have a tendency to sreach a point
at which too heavy "A burden is placed
upon the consumer in moderate circunl-
stances.
For many years observers of Il pro.
| phetic turn OF mind have called atten-
tion TO the spendthrift tendencies
among our population aud to the prob
able outcome Of this lack Of appreela
tion of the necessity for better farm.
ing, Whenever. these ieIemiadA we're
offered for our consideration We have
simply smiled an,i gone on Ia the old
way, Other nations have passed
| through Tue sans stages and have learn
cd the absolute necessity Of better
farming aud utilization Of all lands
available for agriculture. Al last Nc
have reached the stage where lhls truth
- being bagno home Narg nninfally,
Min he amount VI Aonfy AAleA -
lying Idle aud seeking employment ln
The hanks " his Territory it l. aUst
nnfafiunale circumstances Thai 40 much
land suitable for Various anfleultnFal
nufpaass should be brig idle nhllr 10
lmpan fanaslnhs fun tle malnlaad,
and lhns help " leaaee ileiI euplil
u sfems - ~ : stfa pgealFlien ilel lia
aalllliy u ila faluff - ihe Waited
illsles slll - lHnaAalas1s. So NHlaffH
- Asfaal lsHa ssii - ~ fameaae
algA sa0Flihl saslHi ana haflprsf -
7 81