Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-08-21
HIGH PRICE oFLIvING AND AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

of food and soil conservation The of the Uni
ted States for number of has been engaged in ves
tgaton of methods of increasing productivity of the soil IN
the leading European countries and federal commission has
recently reported the results of its inquiries in connection
various recommendations not the least important OF
which Is the provision IF elastic and effective credit sy
TEN for the farmers of the United States.
Vermont in the meantime has not been idle Indeed we
doubt people a whole fully realize what has been
complshed the direction of uplifting and helpful nfu-
for rural districts
In the Stse campaign of 1912 the republican platform
declared that while the large central public schools of the
State doing splendid work the small rural schools of the
State not keeping For the present the latter
should be the especial of the State 1t declared for
larger diversion of the public school funds in the direction of
such schools and added 1--WE favor the by the
agricultural and scientific training
part of public training"
Another declaration of principle by the Vermont repub-
leans in 1912 said Veont should spare effort to make
the most Of her opportunity agricultural State In
reasonable and in practical the State
should the upft of agricultural at this time By
special instruction and by the establishing of model farms
in convenient locations the best methods of farming should
be taught and demonstrated that the largest output per acre
animal may be attained liberal appropriation in these
directions is justified"
In addition this the republican platform advocated
increased appropriations for road Improvement the
ton of forestry and work. well as the merits OF
uniform low rate of taxation of bringing easier
conditions to the farm borrower
In carrying out these pledges the republican admnistra
high school in Rutland Addison county, and for
praton for agricultural education in the we'll for
agricultural extension work by the State Universits Col
lege of Agriculture
AS already announced in these columns this agrcul-
tura education extension service will begin September the
trustees of the State university having secured the services
of Thomas Bradee graduate Of the College of Agriculture
Of Cornell University recognized of the foremost and
most progressive and thorough institutions of training Of this
kind in the country.
We have long TO p]ucate nd
for better farming but university extension work which
res the benefits of college training and better methods to
the doors of farmers of all in actual service has
to receive its due appreciation only in day
Probably State university has entered thoroughly
into the work of the commonwealth for which it stands
the University of Wisconsin, which, in addition to carrying
agricultural extension work. furnishes experts various
other walks of life through the aid of appropra
tons helping legislators who desire expert service in
particular directions in connection with the framing Of laws
for the development of the State.
The director of agricultural extension work of the
university placed at the of communities much is
the State Laboratory Of Hygiene the pro-
motion of health, and will be the engineering and other
colleges of the university in the course of time.
The director is also supposed to aid in every way pos
sible in connection with the solution of the problems
fronting farmers in the different communities the
not distant future entire model farms may be provided al
though the most satisfactory method of conducting this
work in various States the present time take
tain and show that community through farmer
model farmer well a model farm is developed, and
gradually every community gains it's object lesson.
1t not to be expected that the establishing
rate OF interest through exemption from taxation
loaned at five cent would have immediate results
most loans time loans although know of number of
individuals who have already begun to have five per
benefits In the Of time this will be of I'M
told benefit to rural communities.
article reproduced in another column Commissioner
of Agriculture S. Brigham shows that Vermont needs
learn how to market well how to produce and
mend persa of that excellent outline of the ways which
the farmer may succeed
One Of the great problems to be solved in connection
with increased productivity the provision of labor for the
farm. Commissioner Brigham is also engaged in seeking
of meeting this need Of which is the promotion Of
immigration of families ready to work farms In spite
of the multiplication of farm machinery Of all kinds farmers
in Vermont we'll in all other parts of the country
severely troubled by the lack Of farm help.
In the South the negro filling this need and the south
planters coming to realize that while socially and
ticay they might like to Danish the colored yet they
depend upon him to cultivate their soil and harvest
their crops coming generations alien may be