The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-05-23

methods employed in the organization
Of the commission. We demanded
that It be reorganized and by men on
the commission instead of by q lot
Of men who were selected because
they were rich and bad influence.
This discussion resulted in draw,
the outcome OF which was setting I
day ahead to thrash out our differ.
ences. At the meeting next day those
In charge at the start came across
more than half way and what seemed
in the start would be &c rlous handi.
cap on our best efforts was settled
satisfac ctorily. Instead Of set OF OF.
fcers and directors composed Of men
who for the most part are not active
farmers and were not in the party,
we elected officers and directors from
each state and province and from men
VINO we're on board ship. This Great.
ed much better feeling and we have
spent nearly all our time since drill.
ing for the work that is before us.
was selected by the delegates from
Ohio to be the director from this
state. was later elected secretary
Of -he section that Is to make par
ticular study on production, also one
Of the assistant secretaries to the
whole commission.
may say that the commission IL
divided into sections. so that we can
cover the work more thoroughly.
These divisions are as follows:
Rural credits, production, market.
ing. agriculture organizations and
country life.
Notwithstanding the fact that we
had very smooth sea at the start
and all the way across these $500
miles, many were confined to their
state rooms and some were quite sea
sick. My friend Brown had quite
hard time to keep from Joining the
bunch. To help him keep up his cour.
age I often quoted the little couplet
Break, break on the sides Of the
ship, oh sea; ]. would that l could
anchor the meals that arise in me-"
For three days we did not sight
living thing except a whale and that
was only vision to some, but later
We passed some vessels. However,
We were In constant connection with
other vessels by wireless. The man.
ager of the party sent wireless
from mid-ocean to be relayed by 9TH
er ships to New York; from there to
be sent to our homes.
We reached Madeira Island early
Monday morning and at o'clock
went ashore to visit the town or
Funchal. This Is = Portuguese town
some 500 years old. Some of their
customs from their very environment
are very quaint. An odd vehicle seen
is the bullock cart which is not q
cart, but sled covered with can.
Opy top and seating four people
AuiS 10 utaWn W IWO OAcu WHICH
shuttle along as fast as they can walk.
The streets are paved with small
cobble stones gathered on the sea
shore. These stones are very slip
perry so do not make shedding with
the temperature at 80 degrees difficult
or unpleasant. We next took the cog
railroad to the top of the mountain
which 10 about $500 feet above the
sea level.
As We approached the island we
were impressed by the beautiful color
schemes which nature and man have
made to harmonic. The vegetation
ranged from sub-tropical to that of the
temperate zone. The green vegeta-
tion was thickly dotted with neat
buildings which were painted white
and pink Almost every foot Of land
is under cultivation and managed in
the form Of gardens ranging up to
an acre In size. Many gardens had
cabbage, corn, tomatoes growing in
the same plots and these In turn GOV.
cred overhead with grapvines. The
rainfall occurs during December and
January. This rainfall Is preserved
In concrete reservoirs to be used for
irrigation. The land rises In slopes
ranging from 25 to 80 degrees and is
terraced and walled up every little
ways. In some places It il 80 steep
that dog couldn't tree coon and
stand under the tree to bark without
first digging place to stand. yet
these people cultivate these slopes.
Every bit Of vegetation Is saved for
manure and ship loads of guano
which Is carried up the mountain on
donkeys and by the men, are used.
The streets are narrow and walled up
on either side; openings are by doors.
| Soma were di1Ring DOtat0es which