The Elbert County tribune., 1912-02-02

sections of the country only
little less acute than 1t was a few years ago when
the cities bade fair to drain the rural districts of
all the best of its young blood However 1t is
only fair to say that the crisis has been passed
In this drift from the country to the city. The
tide has turned not only shown by the migra-
tion of many city folk countryward but yet more
significantly by the growing content with which
an increasing proportion of the young people
who have been born and reared In the country
elect to remain In their native environment when
the time comes for them to strike out for them
selves.
1t should be pointed out, Just here though thar
the considerations that are prompting an in
creased percentage of rural youth to stay by the
ume-honored vocation Of their forefathers are NOT
all the purely sentimental ones that influence so
many city folks to seek the country as a place of
residence 1t is undoubtedly true that the average
individual is prone to underestimate the adyan-
tages and exaggerate the disadvantages Of his own
situation and environment. And it is equally true
tnat Tar away fields look green" literally as
well as hgurativey speaking Consequently the
city resident, sick of stuffy apartments and noisy
dirty streets. working for a wage or salary is
prone to find dream Of paradise in the prospect
OF being his own boss in the cool. quiet country
The country girl or boy the other hand must
inevitably look at the situation through the oppo-
site end of the telescope He or she is familiar
from experience with the hard work of the farm
which the inexperienced city dwller has given
scarce a thought to in advance and many of the
distractions of city life which have palled on the
urban resident who turns his eyes farmward DOS
sess the charm of novelty for the untraveled
young people Of the farm
Boys and Girls Sticking to the Farm.
That despite this state of affairs a constantly
increasing proportion of the country girls and
boys are choosing to stick by the farms is highly
significant and betokens change OF material con-
ditions as well as altered mental state. And.
speaking of material things. had better say
financial conditions. 1t might as well be put down
FIRST and foremost that one of the main factors
In inducing country bred youth to remain In the
country is the increased prosperity that has come
In recent years to tillers OF the soil In the old
days when almost every farm heavily mort
gagged and the son or daughter of the household
little ahead but lifetime struggle with debt
II was no wonder that they turned to paths where
life. If not easier certainly more pleasant
and allowed more equal division of the time be-
tewen work and play.
But now. with the farms sound, profitable
basis and the average rural couple able to start
their married life farm of their own.-wholly
or partially paid for.-there is not much at
traction In the Jobs which the city affords the
unskilled worker,--the s12 SIS week at which
t8 a week that is offered to the new recruit among
the shop girls of the big city stores. Even II
country youth is allured by the lights and life
and glamor and gaiety of the large city he is now
compelled by that sound. practical common sense
which is the heritage OF the average farmer boy.
to stop and consider whether 1t Is worth the sac
rfnce demanded in dollars and cents. to say moth
ing OF the sacrifice of health. to which perhaps ne
gives nary thought
Prosperity Has Brought Improved Conditions
The farmers who have given serious thought to
the problems OF keeping their girls and boys with
them or near them on the farms have been quick