The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-30
THE VALUE OF
FARM FESTIVALS

discouraged one, according to our
corn crops. When we hear that the
corn field for the year ending De-
cember, 1910, totaled up to one
billion four hundred million dollars
we begin to understand the value of
corn to the progress of the United
States, and, furthermore, when We
are told that through the art of i'm
proving plant life by breeding even
these enormous crops could be in
creased ten per cent. annually
adding one hundred and fifty mil
lions year to- our national re-
celpts) We realize somewhat the ad-
vantage of the study of agricultural
conditions and the enormous value
of the Corn Exhibitions which are
being held from year to year in the
Middle West.
Not only are these exhibitions Of
the greatest practical Importance TO
the country, but of the widest sig
nifcance to the individual, and so
rapidly has the interest in them
grown that where at first the cities
in which the shows were held
assumed the responsibility of meet
Ing expenses. the fourth National
Corn Exhibit. held this winter at
Columbus. Ohio, was financed and
managed by the corn growers them
selves.
But important as these exhibitions
are to the nation as a whole. their
significance In the back-to-the-la land
movement Is incalculable. for they
will awaken the interest of the bows
of America in country life by stimu-
lating their imagination toward the
growth and prosperity of the nation.
A country cannot hope for agri-
cultural prosperity unless the face
of the youth of the land Is turned
toward her fields and meadows. and
the boy of this country. alert.
eager. questioning. will face the
direction Cf most vital interest
the city If it offers the greater thrill
and opportunity. CT the country if
it beckons with big enough call to
the pulse af youth. But the APP
peal has cot to be genuine. it has
got TO fiaunt banner and stir the
blood and promise some sort of
tangible victory.
And that Is the value of the Corn
Exposition 1t brings men. the
workers of the land. together. Il
show what each is accomplishing and
TO contrast effort and success. 1t
brings about competition. in the
finer sense: it awakens desire t,
struggle. to prove individual ability
to cope with the best efforts of othe
Strugglers. 1t stimulates intelli.
gent industry: it stirs admiration
and touches personal pride. AND
then the results are twofold-
the nation and the individual. The
youth who is progressive. success
full farmer Is not only establishing
his own life in a permanent valu-
able relation to his country. but is
aiding the advancement of that cour
try in the most vital and practical
manner.
And because the growing of corr
In America is SO essential to the
strength of the nation, why should
not the Corn Exhibition become oul
recognized national festival-the
meeting-place of the sinew and
backbone Of the land.
Picture what knowledge, what con
partnership. what stimulus for en-
deavor would result from these
festivalsl What an appeal could
be made to the boys on the farm
through competitive display of pro
duce aud from prizes for agricultur-
al achievement. The value of con-
test in labor has not in recent wears
heen recl-oned with. We need farm
festivals. where boys could have 4
chance to see what energy and en-
thusiasm and knowledge can accom-
plish. 1t takes a philosopher to lab
or for the sake of the world OF
even to work for self-development
The average bow needs his ambition
rrickC1. lis latent purpose stirred by
the sense of battle. the desire fol
success. ! ct or bows enlist for the
field Of action on the farm. and VIII
'refcrment at our national evposi-
tics for farm progress.
What an opportunity the Govern
went worll have II make the Ael-i-
cultural Department effective by of
fering prizes 10 country youths at
these expositions. thus stimulating a
sririt of rivalrv In fruit growing,
vegetable raising. in advancing our
corn crcps. in charging our hot
house activities.
! And although we have said bows
through this article, we mean the
youth of our land. boys and girls
for there is no reason why our girls
should not become expert gardeners
and farrers Why should it be con-
s'dere1 any harder to weed garden
than cook n dinner. and why Is 1T
aav moro feminine to iron clothes