The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-30
WHAT is THE MATTER?
Some Reasons for Abnormal Cost of Food and Living
With Practical Suggestions for Readustment of the Situation
r. H. IaBAUME. land Industrial Agent

Gugfielrno Ferrero. the celebrated
Italian historian, says that conditions
in America today resemble those In
Rome just before the fall. and then
he goes on to site number OF IN
stances where the conditions now and
then are identically the same. All
countries in their early formative
yeriods are largely Agrarian As
they develop and become more pros
porous, towns and cities grow more
rapidly in proportion than the county
districts The many attractions In
cities and other sections where the
population gathers together. act as
constant magnate. drawing the rural
population away from the farm and
to congested industrial centers. The
eventual result of this Is that the city,
or consuming population finally over
balances the rural or producing pop
ulatioa. and food stuffs OF all kinds
increase rapidly as this condition is
brought about
Twenty-Five years ago some sixty
per cent or more Of our people were
Oh farms and in the small towns and
villages Today nearly ssN.y-ftye par
cent Of the population inhaoit the
large towns and cities OF this coun-
try. Two-thirds OF the population
were In the past raising food stuffs
for the other third. and consequently
nearly one-thIrd Of the produce found
sale in foreign markets, to which II
was exported. Today one third OF
the population Is not able to supply
the food stuffs for the other two
Ghirdl. and notwithstanding the
change from an exporting nation to
an importing one. the supply Is still
and prices have risen to
abnormal levels One OF the most
vital factors in bringing about this
shifting of our population is the de-
feet IN our system OF education
Practically everything taught in our
schools. colleges and universities has
a tendency to draw the young men
and women. the boys and girls away
from the farm. The business COL
leges, alone. In the States OF the
American union are responsible for
the heaviest draft on pur young
farming population. and the total at
tendance at these colleges annually
viii usually average from ten to one
hundred times the attendance at the
state agricultural colleges. Fortu-
nately. within the past few years there
has been an agricultural renaissance,
in many sections. The city school
boards and State superintendents Of
schools are taking renewed interest
in agricultural education, and while
compa ratively little has been done at
the present time 1t is to be hoped
that the matter will be given seri-
Gus enough attention to induce the
installation of practical agricultural
courses in all public schools. Chill
dren are naturally fond of outdoors
A little child loves to plant things
and see them grow. This is partic-
,.1a ,.3x .r.itN ri rkt1irAr ~
der present conditions. 1t would seem
that this was very necessary branch
OF education. particularly SO when 1t
offers better prospects of a successful
and profitable career than almost any
other vocation. The trades and the
professions are crowded to overflow
ing. and In dozens OF States In this
union. are idle farms today that ought
TO be in q high state of cultivation
and are capable of producing large
interest on the investment necessary
to put them into a productive condi-
ton How can we do more to in
terest urban population back to the
rural sections. and the opportunities
offered thereby. I want to present a
few practical suggestions / believe
that every up-to-date city public
school should install course OF pri-
mary agricultural instruction. One
or the best text poOkS nave SsSHs
interesting as a storyform cover to
cover, well illustrated and practical
is a small primer published by the
American Book Company, and en-
titled First Principals OF Agricul-
ture." In connection with the install
lation of this course. the city council
should provide out OF their school
funds. or other accessible funds, a
tract of land varying in size from ten
to twenty acres, or more. easily ac-
cessihle for the school children. pre-
ferably on an electric railway line,
or other means of quick access. where
every week the children OF each class
in every public school could be taken
for at least a half days demonstra-
ton of the principals taught In the
text book There ought to be on
this demonstration tract one or more
small cottages, fitted up with cook
ing utensils, diningroom service. par
lor, ETC.. so that the pupils, under the
direction Of their Instructor could
make use OF the vegetables, fruits.
etc, grown on the place. and put
them through the various processes
of preserving. cooking. serving, etc.
This arrangement. in the first place,
gives an opportunity for outdoor ex-
ercise and outdoor nature study.
which is as important as other branch
es. 1t puts the children In position
to get together and enjoy natures
outdoor attractions. work and social
,intercourses. 1t gives them new
Yus,gnf into the beauties OF nature