The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-27

can bring into farming, we have al
most reached the limit, and that the
only way in which we can increase
our product now is by better farm
ing methods. Of course by reclama-
ton, by drainage, by irrigation we
can perhaps have as l say 100000
900 but after those are added, then
the only struggle that we can make,
because all the rest of the land is
practically untillable, the only strug-
gle we can make is to increase the
productivity of the land We cult
vate. Now in fifty years we shall
have population of 2OO,000,OO0. 1t
will require more than twice as
much of what we now produce, or
at least twice as much Of what we
now produce to feed our people. We
are in situation where we must
feed ourselves. We cannot afford to
look to other countries, or be de-
pendent upon them. Therefore, we
must improve our agricultural meth
DDS, and that Improvement is to
nifty, through it's energy, its enter
prise and it's appreciation of the
profits in farming.
There is a movement-has been
for the last forty years-from the
country to the city. That / am
glad to see is lessening in the last
ten years, and l am quite confident
that with the Improvement in the
profits of farming, with the improve
ment in the comforts of farmers,
the suburban railway, the telephone,
the rural delivery, and l hope the
parcels post, and the automobile, all
those things are going to make the
lives of the farmers much more com
Portable, and as they will become
more profitable, to attract from the
city into the country. When John
and Henry, the two SONS of the
farmer. consider together what shall
be done, and Henry stays at home
and works the farm, and John goes
in and studies law and tries to make
some money out OF his clients, IL
will now turn out that Henry who
stays at home will have the sursr
income and much the more comfort
able life. AS a consequence, the
change will take place just for eco
nomic reasons, and I am very hope
full that in the next ten years, be-
cause of the improved condition of
farming, both with reference to
profits and the life upon the farm,
and it's comforts, the tendency will
be the other way. Congested popu-
lation in the city does not make
either for moral or righteous living,
for better government, or for a
happier people. 1t is, the larger di-
vision to the country of the pOpula-
ton that gives us wholesome living,
gives us Independent and courage
Gus thinking, and ! am glad to be-
lieve that we are now approaching
that time in the farmers life and in
the life of the country when there
will be an increase rather than a
decrease in those who seek the
country for profit, for benefit, for
comfort, and for health.
"Now, my friends, have talked
too long. l only want to thank you
sincerely for this cordial reception.
am glad to come into the great
State of Minnesota. You have gone
on increasing, as other states have.
Your wealth is such that you may
we'll be happy and comfortable, and
there is every reason why you should
rejoice that you are Minnesotan.
The truth is that going through the
country one of the things that en-
courages person charged with the
responsibility of government is the
intense pride in the community, in
the country and in the state that
every American has. You go to
Kansas and you hear the Kansas or
ators, and you believe that there is
no other state but Kansas in the
United States; the same way with
Iowa, the same way with Nebraska;
the same way with Idaho, Colorado,
Utah, Washington, Oregon and Cali
fornia. and it is that intense energy
and local pride that when it ex-
pands gives so much hope to all of
us who believe in the patriotism of
the American people and their inter
est in the general government, and
their willingness both to live and
die for America"
The President Was Loudly Cheered.
President Taft is easily recognized
from the numerous pictures of him
published. The Taft smile was with
him today, as it has always been, ac-
cording to all accounts. He has a
big body, big face, big heart and
broad smile. He has winning
way, that makes friends of all who
meet him.
The trip to Mankato was very
enjoyable one, cool and dustless,
over smooth and well ballasted
roadbed, and in comfortable train,
with the best of service. No freight
| trains were allowed in front within
an hour, or passenger trains within
ten minutes, and every human pre-
caution was taken to avoid accident.
The roadway and bridges and cross
ings were inspected. The sky was
lowering, which caused some I'M
easineSS. but otherwise there was