Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-08
Results Were Gratifying.


remained in camp enjoying the balance
of their vacation.
Results Were Gratifying.
ITO ascertain the farmers point of
view," continued Mr.. Larmon, I'VE ad-
dressed circular letters inquiring whether
the services of the young men were sat
isfactory. and the replies were gratifying.
In almost every case the farmer wrote
that, while the boys were totally unused
to labor. they were honest and willing
ard worked we'll. One farmer naively
observed that ii would be better to send
only good ones and leave the poor ones
in the city, which certainly was wise
advice. In addition to the material and
physical benefits derived by the students
we hope that by bringing them into di-
rect touch with the various branches of
agriculture some of them may decide to
become farmers and locate in the coun-
try.
''Of the 4944 laborers placed by this
bureau upon the farms of New York dur
ing the year 1910, 26 nations were rep
resented. The largest number were Irish,
1.74j: the next largest Germans. HOG;
then comes Americans. J04; Swedes. BOO;
Russians. 1856: Dutch. 123; Austrians. 100.
The rest were divided among the other
nations Of Europe.
In studying the tendencies of imni-
grants arriving in the United States we
find that the greatest objection to en-
gaging in agriculture Is that the condl-
tons in this country are so different from
those in Europe. 1t is the isolation OF
the farm instead Of the community life
of the old countries, to which they object.
Large numbers of immigrants who were
farmers where they came from went
to work in the mines. factories and pun
lie works. where they Will oe among
companions of their own nationality and
their own class. because they would be
lonesome and hOmesick on farm.
Another important fact is that many OF
them return to Europe each year. carry
ing with them vast sums of money, est1-
mated in the aggregate at S2JO,OOO.OCO.
It seems to me that determined eHort
ought to be made to Keep these people
in this country. TO prevent TINS oraih
upon our resources. and at the same TIME
to place competent farmers with their
families where they would become pro-
ducers and contribute to the wealth OF
the nation.
Figures for Three Years.
During the years 1908. 1909 and 1910
several hundred thousand immigrants
went back ~ the old countries carrying
their savings with them OF whom many
no doubt might have been persuaded 10
remain and purchase farms II we had
been able to reach them. Many selections
of southern Europe are noted FOR their
agricultural prosperity and the aoillty OF
their people to derive subsistence from
small areas of soil which would be con-
sidered practically useless In New YORK
state. Necessity has taught them the arr
of soil conservation, and with lncessant
toll and patience they nave accomplished
important results This experience and
the habits they have acquired would
make them exceptionally valuable.
THE number of farm hands among
newly arrived immigrants applying TOT
work has been quite large. There have
been applications for positions as mall
ayers and superintendent of farms
many of the applicants having had eX-
perence along special lines o. agricul-
ture but for this class we have had very
few requests. Many Of the applicants.
failing TO secure such positions, nave ac-
cepted ordinary farm work
The immigration statistics show that
Of, 900 farmers and farm laborers arrived
at Ellis Island last year, and II would
seem that from this great number a
sufficient supply ought TO be obtained TO
furnish all the help needed by the farm
ers of this country. and no DOUBT Iht
number would be larger were IL not TOT
the higher wages offered by other indus
tries and contractors on public work.
Farmers pay from $40 to $50 per month
| for local help, but they will not oHer d
stranger more than SIS to SO moato'
and expect as much from him Failing IN
| this respect. they become dissatisfied, and
| the employee, learning that other men
| are getting more wages than ne. De
comes disconnected and leaves the place.
Information Tabulated.
| I'VE always try to keep in touch with
the men we send out and follow them
with circulars of inquiry. Through the
information received in this way We are
able to state that more than 80 per cent
have given entire satisfaction: about III
per cent more have given fairly good
SUBTRACTION, while only 10 per cent were
| failures Some OF the failures were ls-
norant: others were unable to understand
| the language and others did not give
satisfaction for other reasons. In Sohie
cases ii was evident that the employer
was to blame for a lack OF patience IN
teaching and for failing to encourage the
men as he should. No complaint was re-
ceivei by any who proved TO De as
honest or We're not mt to become mehi-
bers OF their EMPLOYERS families.
THE prospect is that the price OF agri-
| cultural products will continue to make
| farming profitable in this state The
] long looked-for turn in the tide OF west
ern bound homeseekers' is about 10 De
:. prices Of land throughout the western
sections of the country. the absorption OF
the public domain available for general
| farming and the undesirable conditions
| and hardships incident TO ire In ire "a
| madam northwest Notwithstanding the
latter conditions. 1863, 792 people from the
| United States emigrated to Canada dur
, ing the yea- 1910. carrying with them
| stock, tools and money estimated at Sso,-
| co., 600. During the same year aboui
| 3OOOO former residents of the United
| states. who had emigrated to Canada to
engage in agricultural pursuits, returned
| to this country, and $1,000 Canadians
came over to make their homes IN the
4 mt Cd Gfofe fhl9I a.
| az 600 Immigrants from Canada to the
| United States. as against 10000 emf
| grants from the United States to Canada
Becoming Great Peril.
! Yes it is true that the idle men in our
cities who are supported by the benevo-
lent societies and public relief agencies.
are becoming a great peril and IL Is mo-
where felt so keenly as in the state OF