The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-09-29
(Article IL

The third annual Conservation Con-
gress held at Kansas City, Mo. this
week to which Lake County sent
delegation was the most important ever
held in the country. A remarkable
range and variety of subjects We're
taken up and are of such Importance
that THE TIMES in series of articles
from day to day will endeavor to show
the work OF the Congress. Conserva-
ton is term at first dealing with the
saving of the resources of the country
has broadened and branched out until
1t treats now OF a wide scope of sub
jects from the soil to morals. Among
the most important topics taken up al
the congress where the conservation of
soil fertility
In New England various other
parts of the country there are hundreds
of abandoned farms which are useless
and valueless because the soil had be-
come sterile and unproductive. The
rich fields of the Middle West show no
signs OF being overworked. but their
| term Of service has been comparatively
short.
The country has practically come to
the end of its virgin soil. At present
only two civilized countries. India and
| Russia, grow poorer average crops per
acre than the United States. Where
| England gets thirty-two bushels yield
to the acre and Germany twenty eig hit.
America falls below fifteen. The chief
reason is that American farmers. as Il
whole. are behind in their understand
| ing of the soil and it needs.
| The drift from the farm to the city
must be checked If the prosperity of
| the country is to be assured and the de-
lve1oping of character of the men, WON
en-. boys and girls of the farm was care
fully discussed.
| The social sterility OF rural life is 4
grave question which only recently has
been considered. There is no reason
why country life should not be made
quite attractive city life IL there
lis proper recognition of the Importance
OF social development. The city man il
now endeavoring to move back to the
country in order TO give his family the
benefit of country life. but compare :
lively few farmers have realized the
need of bringing the advantages OF lA&
city into their homes. There should be
farmers organizations, modelled after
the business mems associations of the
larger towns. and there should be
hearty cooperation between the two
In bringing this matter before the con-
gress 1t was hoped that the business
man might be brought TO see the ad-
vantages of taking the initiative In Sc
curing this cooperation, even TO the
5 extent of helping the farmers to star,
their organization.
7 The improvement OF the country
: church was considered from many
standpoints. Generally. there are toe
+ many churches in the rural communi-
ties. Sectarian ideas divide the people
too much. There is inadequate fnancia
support for several churches, where ont
might be well supported. Many rura
churches do not have resident pastors
, These are supplied from neighborins
towns and are generally of one de
/ nomination. While there are rura
6 church which are effective agents ii
r the social evolution of the communities
: the country churh whole needs
$ new direction and to assume new re
sponsibilities.
. The salaries of country pastors ar,
pitiably low. often falling below s3O
and rarely reaching $1,000. Conse
lquently, the rural pastor and his famil,
suffer much privation, even though the,
: are not burdened with great financia
= responsibilities. In New England AM
some other sections, the great draw
backs of denominationaI rivalry are be
ling recognized and active movement
towards rural church federation are be
ling inaugurated. This does not meal
in the effort to reach and help ever.