The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1913-05-23
TO THE FARMERS
OF TENNESSEE
By Capt 7. F. Peck, Commissioner Of
Agriculture
The High Cost of Living.

y . - NAGb VI AlNlllk
q has increased in the cities and towns
! IN fact everywhere that people have
to buy what they live on. MANY
! suggestions have been offered and
) practically all of them are far from
the real cause. There is one thing
certain, as long as consumption of
farm products increase and produc.
ton does not keep pace, W. will
have talk of the high cost of living.
This country has passed thru a
period OF great de yelopment in rail-
road building, in the growth of
manufacturing, in the growth of
cities and towns. All the influences
have been exerted to draw the peo.
pie from the country to the towns
and cities. The laborers for work
the young men and young women
for positions where they could wear
nice clothes and haye more social
advantages. The farmer, where he
could afford to do SO. has left his
farm to tenants and he has taken
his family to town to give them
educational advantages. The schools
have directed the boys away, instead
of to the farm. The result has been
decreased production of the farms
and consequent increase in cost of
the necessaries of life.
When we give more attention to
improving our farm lands, using
more intelligent N, tlods Of cuItiva-
ton, when we give more attention
70 improving our ubIic roads and
our rural scaons; When va are will.
hg to make rnra lift c3niltobs AZ.
ractlvo to our BOYS and girls: when
ye prove TO thtm id advantages
hey can have il farmiog over other
ines Of work; when we Quit belittI.
ng the vocation o. farming; when
'e make available to the farmer Of
oday the Information he needs for
lccess in his work, we will find a
'lution to the problem Of the high
1st OF living, and not before.
We must bring about equillib-
UNI; labor is not properly adjusted.
he cities and towns are overcrowd.
with Young men and young wo-
en- seeking positions. The supply
ceeds the demand and as a conse.
Ience low wages prevail.
Onr real prosperity is based on
g prosperity of the farmer and
y other plan will exhaust itself
time. So this problem is one
1t should enlist the cooperation
the railroads, the manufacturers
teachers, the professional men
all classes. Not that they should
e up their present work whatever
t may be, but in helping the
ner to qualify for successfully
rying on his work.
I
III can lend their moral and f.
clal support to movements to
'foye the rural schools, that will
n agriculture and domestic
nee, to better roads and to prac-
demonstration work with the
1ers that viii enable them to
d up their soils, improve their
hods OF farming, improve their
stock and encourage them to a
er regard for their vocation as
lers.
has been said often and truth
that all other professions and
tons grow out Of the needs Of
farmers. But they have out
need the farmer; he has been
ing. He must be aroused and
Hated to take his proper place
develop his industry as Others
DING. Prices on the necessities
9 cannot be properly adjusted
there is a better adjustment Of
and our farm lands are cult
with the same intelligence
IS given to other industries.
len the farmer boy is shown
MS best opportunity for success
the farm; when he is given an
1T OF farming as it can be- and