Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1912-03-01
AMERICAN FARM MUST
DOUBLE ITS PRODUCTION
BY Charles F. Thompson

related to it, Of keeping the boy on
the farm, have been troubling the
minds OF all who have the welfare
Of our country at heart.
Railroad presidents, representing
the highest intellects OF this ad-
yanced age, looking forward to a
not far distant time, have been fore
warned OF the necessity OF greater
yield per acre. They have found
in their investigations that almost
all the tillable land in the United
States has been taken up; that moth
ing remains to the prospective home
seeker but small areas OF waste
marsh land which would require
vast expenditure of money in pre-
pairing it for crops.
After this exhaustive study of the
situation they have come TO the inn
portant conclusion that the amount
produced per acre must be doubled
and trebled; must be increased to
keep pace with our rapidly-growlng
population.
England and other European
countries where the population is
dense, have cultivated and fertilized
their lands TO the highest state of
efficiency. Why is ii not possible
here? One thing is certain and
cannot be avoided That in the yery
near future necessity will demand
a greater yield per acre. Taxes and
other expenses Of the farm are push
ing the tiller of the soil to greater
exertions than ever before. Trial
farms are being conducted by rail-
roads in all parts of the country for
the express purpose Of experimenting
in the growing OF different crops, and
teaching the farmer how to get the
most out of the soil and still keep
1t up.
Educational efforts all over the
nation up to within a few years of
the present time have combined in
the boy away from the farm
to the city, He has been baited with
promises of job as book
keeper or salesman at the end of
course OF commercial training in
business college or correspondence
school. Has it been any wonder that
the farmers boy has lost track of
more important issue: that of stay
Ing on the old farm and building it
up so that it will make him more
independent than he could possibly
De in the city?
There is a change taking place to-
day, however, which is bound to
iave but one result, that of placing
he farm and its products foremost
n the mind of the young man.
Agricultural schools are becom-
ng more and more the centres of
earning, They are putting out ever
Increasing numbers of graduates who
ind ready employment in every form ,
II farm culture.
In the last few months Mr.. Alder ,
nan, state superintendent of public ,
Instruction for Oregon, has started
contest in industrial education
which will give the boys an incen-
i've for greater activity along farm
Ines This contest which is backed
nd indorsed by all the commercial
lubs of the principal cities of Ore
on, the State Bankers association.
he Oregon Development League. and ,
y the high officials of the state. ,
rovides for the distribution of val 4,
able prizes to those boys who bring
D the fair the best products. the q
esults OF their industry.
Already the vacant lots of Salem b
ave been turned over to the school
oyS and have been plowed pre-
aratory to planting, and the vacant
'ts of Portland are being treated
he same way. Ii 1t is a paying prop .
Sition in vacant lots, why should II
OF be far more so for the country y
oy who has unlimited acres OF rich
md at his disposal?
There will be held county fair p
ON which the prize winners will
sent to the state fair where the
rizes will be awarded the best pro-
lctions on exhibit.
This state wide project, backed
all the influential men of Oregon.
ust end ultimately in success and a
so in the interesting of the boy in
lie things he can produce by his own F
perseverance and industry on the
rm. .,
Williams creek, February 27. I,