The Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1911, 1911-01-27

Ing dUAlCy 10 pIOQuce wealth., other
things equal, is in proportion to
people g ingenuity in inventing and
operating machinery. AS rule, the
degree of nations poverty can be
measured by the exclusive dependence
it places upon bodily labor. The do
mestication and training Of animals to
perform service marked the first up
ward step in human progress toward
making larger use of natures boun-
ties. The steam engine and the cleo.
Uric motor indicate continued upward
progress The automobile is as far
in advance of the horse and buggy,
for business, as the incubator is ahead
of the setting hen. Those of us who
witnessed the evolution Of the tractor
gang from the two.horse 12-inch moul.
board plow, or the self binder from
the crow-wing cradle can appreciate
the evolution that has taken place
in the character Of farm machinery
and the different purposes for which
the human hand must be trained. The
world could not now be clothed and
fed and supplied with ordinary necessi-
ties under the old regime. The use Of
labor saving machinery has become a
necessity, hence the mechanic g
arts'' feature of the Morrill, act of
1862 may be looked upon as far.see-
ing prophecy by congress. when it CO.
ordinated engineering with agricultur-
al education.
These two branches of education
were provided for none too soon. They
have larger place in our educational
and economic system than most state
government are yet willing to accord
them.
Modern machinery, not excluding the
automobile, will answer the cry, "back
to the farm more effectually than
all sentimental essays that can be
written or economic sermons that can
be preached.
Coincident with the improvement OF
farm machinery may be noted the i'm
provement in the breeding of domestic
animals, and the development Of hard
Ter and more prolific strains of cereals
fruit mad vegetables. There has beer
improvement along all lines Of econom
ic production and yet the world is il
no sense over-supplied with the neces
sites of life. The cost Of living i:
constantly advancing. More and bet
ter machinery must still be invented
and more attention given to the study
of economic problems affecting tn
laws Of production and Distribute,
and the solution of these problems cen
ter very largely about the farm; bu
until the mighty influence of education
is brought to bear more potential,
upon farm management and the scienc
of agriculture, but little improvement
nj the matter of cheap food may b
anticipated.
With modern farm machinery, how
ever, the drudgery of the husband
man is reduced to the minimum Will
his ability to perform tasks is NOR
than doubled.
These are favorable symptoms, bu
more than labor and labor-saving ma
chinery for the former is required
The farm home must be considered
Labor saving machinery is even NOR
essential for the patient wife, ere tn
country home will be the scene Q
that contentment, without which rul
al ife will continue to decline. TIL
automobile will hedp some, but man
ingenious devices should be Unstable
about the premises to relieve tn
country home of the drudgery. No
until the wife and children are prou
of their home-of it's conveniences, it
healthfullness, its attractiveness- wi
permanent prosperity abound. Othe1
wise, the country will continue to b
a place to flee from at the first OK
portunity.
Let human ingenuity then be direct
ed to the improvement of the countr
home as it has to the improvement Q
farm machinery, and encourage thos
improvements to become universal i
their distribution, and a long strid
will be taken toward the uplift of tn
country life. Teh city will take cal
of itself.
The country produces. The cit
consumes. Based upon these self-ev
dent facts, there should be no questio
as to the direction Of eevry sane inf,
ence, educational or otherwise, intent
ed for the development of the countr
as whole.
The boys and girls should hunge