Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-07-10

into the that they confined to common
wealth. that the question of rural conservation is peculiar to
the Green Mountain State On the contrary this whole prob
lem is wide as the world
Increasing density population has forced other
nations devote attention this matter earlier than have
of the continent but reports from all parts of the
globe show that every country struggling with the
zng situation growing out of increased population and cir
cumscribed production of the necessaries of life.
Viewed from this standpoint the question becomes one
of the ter of land alone but to
and and child who is confronted by
ward tendency in the cost of living.
We of Vermont have discussed certain questions super
cay but have not begun to realize the farreaching
nature of the fundamental principles involved in what
have to call the problem OF our hill towns.
In the first place hill town problem involves that
larger question Of the urban Of population all
the world People, old well young, ocking into the
cities and ignoring opportunities left behind The lure of
the big center of population irresistible regardless of con-
sequences
In the second place hill town problem involves the
adjustment of the whole country economic conditions
In this age of big things transportation and distribution have
be prime considerations while concentration of man
agement and of administration and more
the Of the difference between profit and loss
In the third place rural problem in Vermont en-
braces the which invariably results in the develop
ment of country Pioneers stop in the most ready
country and later their children or their chdrenS chill
dren discover still further opportunities and the rush sweeps
along many individuals who simply obeyng the sheep in
stinc Iowa. which formerly frontier State robbing
Vermont OF and daughters now IN turn being
robbed by the Canadian Northwest of her inhabitants well
little of her wealth. not because her soil is poor
her climate orbddng but because homesteads going for
a song in the country.
When the tidal of migration recedes it may
far in the opposite direction, but eventually healthy and
wholesome equilibrium will be established and only such
will ride the country are born of temporary
breezes Vermont is to then into her point
of pouaon well in material growth and prosperity.
What accustomed to discuss great problems
simply questions Of eXpedency to the best methods Of
aiding in this reimbursement of State to the cond
lions already becoming manifest Above all how shall
aid in the conservation Of Vermont's soil.
of these secondary questions have already been
considered Commissioner Brigham has emphasized
Of these although he has only fairly begun his great service
for the people of Vermont well producer
Commissioner Brigham realizes that the labor question
is Of the obstacles confronting rural Yer
to-day. For example, may have abundant crops
and all that these imply regards capital and but
if aid is hand when the harvest ripe and loss
will inevitably follow.
The attempt divert Holland immigration in this direc-
ton is only of remedies Commissioner Brigham
is considering in this connection
Other questions affecting rural communities in Yer
mont involve not only increased production and the securing
of improved quality well greater quantity but also
larged markets and improved facilities of distribution. The
problem calls for more intelligent treatment of soils and bet
fertilization well the of scientific the
lection of stock and in profitable breeding.
AS the people of Vermont whole have
appreciate this combination of needs fully will then
time to take the first great step the direction of solution
of host of problems in Vermont and that cooperation
If you will study the reports of agricultural commissions
abroad you will discover that cooperation pro-
vdng credit for farmers in the old world as the new
Cooperation helping the farmers transport
taon purchase goods better advantage than formerly
farm labor to produce well prod
ucts more profitaby than before.
In short cooperation is the key the great majority of
the lesser problems confronting the rural regions the world
to-day. When cooperative effort has borne its legitimate
fruit then the problem of economic adjustment and of
flow of population between town and city will be well
way toward permanent solution.
follows that the conservation of life is the great
problem confronting the world to-day
depends the welfare of all well all producers