Newark post., 1911-03-01
WHAT is THE RURAL PROB
LEM?


1t is the problem of how to develop
rural civilization that is permanent
ly satisfying, and worthy OF the best
desires.
A complex question.
Involves
better farm methods.
2-Better business or trade relation
ship.
3-Developng an active and efficient
social structure.
What iurther makes our question
complex is the fact that existing coun.
try conditions ar not wholly bad. in
TACT, in many communities lncy are
very good. In general, however, they
are not SO good as they easily might
be. think that a large part OF Kent
and Sussex counties are solving IN a
very satisfactory manner the first two
divisions of our problem. 1t is the
third part, the development OF an active
and efficient social structure that
should engage Our attention, if we are
interested in the progress OF our coun-
try and want to have part in shaping
its destiny.
The recent census has shown that
our great increase in population has
taken place not i'll the rural communi-
ties, but in the cities. Or, in other
words, the ranks OF the food producers
have been depleted to swell those of
the nontood producers. The result is
that it is difficult to get sufficient help
to till our land and impossible to get
an adequate supply OF trained iarm
help. In consequence, our land is not
properly titled and the returns are not
up to the standard OF possible produc-
ton. a.l
1t is quite the fashion Just now .or
platform orators to quote the views OF
Jim Hill and other captains OF indus
try on matters pertaining to Agricul-
ture. In this connection Mr.. Hill says:
"One of the chief troubles OF this
country is the inadequacy OF agricul-
ture to support all the other interests
that rest upon it. We are not increas-
ing the food product in proportion to
the increase OF population. Our indus
tries are too unbalanced by the move
ment from the farm to the city. The
biggest fact be.ore the country today
is this situation and the necessity Of
changing it. The relative decline OF
agriculture as an occupation is due
mostly to artificial causes. At the be-
ginning OF the last century less than
10 per cent. OF the people lived in
towns. The other nine-tenths were
food producers. In 1870 a. little less
than half the workers furnished food
for all the rest. Today probably less
than third must feed the other two
thirds. But for the last fifty years es-
pecially we have stimulated other in
dustries at the expense OF the farm.
Every nducement has been offered to
both capital and labor to transfer
themselves from agriculture TO manu-
featuring.
The farmer everywhere is in de-
spar because he cannot get help. II
is the cry not only OF The harvest sea-
son but of the whole farm year. And
the farmer himself, because he follows
antiquated, wssteiul, and unscientihc
methods is at the same time getting
a relatively poor return for his labor
and making his farm annually less pro-
ductivS."
Another feature OF this movement
to the city is that at least some OF the
best equipped both mentally and ply
sically leave the country and theii
so well equipped perhaps. These are
facts that cannot well be refuted. ant
while it is true perhaps. that there is q
movement from the city TO the coun
try, it is still in its infancy and ha:
done but little to stem the tide tina
has set in toward the town.
If we stop to analyze Our problem
we shall see that the shift OF popua
ton from the country to the town Il
due to many reasons, but includes a
1aoSt three that NAV he con slider red II
be pre-eminent These are:
Ist-Supposed lack OF financial op
portunity.