Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-10-17

many a family has watched one build.
ing after another, and finally the old
homestead, burn up, the very nature
of the material used in their construc-
ton, causing the flames to spread.
much less resist them.
Fire insurance, as it was then inter
preted provided temporary relief, but
It was indeed a costly precaution, Civ
ing the farmer only mere pittance
of what he once possessed, "Tempor-
airy" relief however, as III all things
| II seemed, was the most he could
strive for, or expect. Little did he
| then know that something permanent
was in sight, and for which no pre-
miums were demanded, with unfailing
regularity
However such experiences were
fraught with some good The farmer
has demonstrated on more than one
OCCASION that he Is ready and quick
to learn, and such severe lessons were
not forgotten. They taught him to
realize his foolhardiness In exposing
to utter destruction, that, which had
TAKEN NtHlS VI 'Ilbl anu
thousands Of dollars to build up.
The boys, the younger generation of
farmers, were made equally conscious
OF the change necessary to improve
living conditions on the farm, to in
sure the safety of life and property,
and to eliminate much of the drudgery
of farm work. Already many OF them
were bent upon n college education
and then to seek their fortunes in the
big cities, the farm offering but poor
induccmcnt in comparison, and such
of them by reason Of this early dis
satisfaction with and ultimate depar-
ture from the farm, have been largely
instrumental for the advance of scion
tific farming and scientific farm man
agement. which has taken place in the
past decade.
Their vision was broadened; they
saw at a glance the effort that was be-
ing made toward real economy in every
line of business. Big projects were
being undertaken everywhere, with
the idea of pcrmanoncy uppermost In
the minds Of the owners, whether an
individual, corporation or the govern
mcnt. The use of combustihle mater
ial in building construction was no
ticeable by its absence-nothing that
would invite disaster figured in the
city mans specifications,
How to apply these principles on the
farm back home was the next thought
tho solution of which was readily
found, during one of the periodical
visits to the farm, at times Wien their
assistance was needed. why don't You
make that permanent" was the advice
offered the cldcrs. engaged perhaps in
making one of the little repairs, more
or less always required about the farm.
and this suggestion has many a time
gained for concrete It's first introduce
tion to the farmer.
It thrived on his acquaintance from
the start Once used 1t became popu-
lar, then recommended and finally, to-
day, Il Is regarded as a necessity Its
use has successfully overcome the diff
flcultics which previously harassed the
farmer: 1t has made comfort possible
on the farm; 1t has increased the value
OF farm property; It has replaced filth
and disease by cleanliness and good
health among the stock; It has reduced
operating expense and increased pro-
! duction and perhaps most important OF
| all, It's use has lifted the farmer he
You'd the era of fence repairing and dis
content to that OF cultivation, produc-
ton and conteutment,
In such brief period, the number
and variety OF uses for which concrete
has actually served on the farm, makes
tho success. which has always attended
its use. the more remarkable Among
It's earlier uses are foundations, walls
walks and floors. Well-covers. steps
drain-tile, fencc-posts, and septic-tanks
next received the attention OF the farm
err, and later still the building of con-
crete cellars for preserving roots
fruits. and vegetables; troughs and
tanks. culverts, manure pits. cisterns
and silos was accomplished.
Thus far. II is true, the number OF
large all-concrete buildings on the farm
such as the home and the barn, are
comparatively few. not through lack OF
desire on the part OF the farmer 70,
n home and barn of this type, but sim.
ply because the life OF his present
buildings is not yet ended He has In
vested In them and wants the maxi.
mum return on the investment.
There Is no mistaking the spirit q,
the times. however, and Just as soor
as the farmer Is satisfied that the
change may he protitahly made. OF
In other words. until his present build