The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1912-02-22
SOME PRESENT DAY RURAL
PROBLEMS DISCUSSED BY
PRES. WORST TN ILLINOIS

such as forests, as being ineXhaustible
that already are nearing extinction. Is
1t any wonder, therefore, that the de-
mand for conservation should be
raised like cry Of fire in the night
and that strenuous measures should
be encourag ged. to forestall at least the
further depletion of the soil?
Local Problems.
Southern Illinois lis no exception.
Your black soil doubtless has seen
better days. Far be 1t from me, how
ever, total stranger to your soil and
climatic conditions, to attempt a dis
cussion OF purely local problems with
a view of their solution. Such ques-
tions as relate to the soil, methods of
cultivation, drainage, seed selection,
maintenance of fertility, destruction of
weeds, rotation of crops, dairying and
the feeding and breeding of livestock
must be answered very largely in the
light of your own observation and ex-
perience and the Investigations made
by your state experiment station.
Some of the larger rural problems.
however, problems that effect the
whole country, may be discussed with
profit on this occasion.
Widespread Discomfort.
The country life commission ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt, after
an extended survey OF the agricultural
districts from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific among other things discovered
widespread discomfort in almost every
farming community. Among the spe-
cific things complained of may be
mentioned poor country schools, bad
roads, social isolation and lack of mod
ern conveniences in the farm homes
Too much drudgery and insufficient
opportunity for recreation and social
intercourse. In general a discouraging
viewpoint, especially among the young
| people, has obtained against farming
as desirable avocation. Most of the
| evils complained of, however, can be
remedied, but the remedy must come
| primarily from the farmers them
selves. Others will assist, though but
| little progress can be expected, how
ever until the rural communities cul-
tivate a higher appreciation of their
| business.
| Rural contentment Important.
| First and foremost In attempting
solution of the rural problem, it Is
necessary to inquire into the causes oi
rural discomfort.
/ II the conditions of country livine
are not satisfactory, the question IS
can they be made satisfactory? AND
how? Moreover, the satisfaction must
extend to wife and children as vel
1 as to the head of the family, for il
! the wife becomes discouraged ana
the young people desert the country
side for the cities, a single generation
may see the farms largely managed
by those farming under protest or BY
| temporary renters; and tenancy is :
| menace to country life.
The question may be raised, what /.
the magnet that attracts country
youth to the cities? Or, perhaps. tht
question had better be put thus wha
is the bogy that drives young peopI,
from the farms? Cannot the magne
that draws them to the cities be trans
4 ferred from the city to the country
Cannot the bogy that drives then
from the farms be destroyed?
1t is safe prediction that If tn
business of farming were quite profit
able; IL the drudgery could be Iargel,
removed and intelligent interest sub
stituted in place Of drudgery. and tn
farm home made beautiful sanitary
and supplied with modern convent
ences, and if good schools and socia