Lower coast gazette., 1913-07-19
inducements to Remain on the Farm.

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To induce people to remain on, or return to,
the farm we must improve the conditions of
rural life. To attract people to the farm we
must make the farm more interesting, more re-
munerative, more free from excessive hard
work and drudgery for male and female.
This must be done, or we will soon find our
selves producing less of the prime necessities
of life than are required for home consump-
ton. This condition would mean, first, weak
ness, then distress. That nation only which
produces a surplus of life's necessities which
other nations must come to it to obtain or 60
hungry and unclothed is in a position OF SUI
preme power. The chief factors contributing
to the creation and, in some instances and por-
tions of the country, restoration, OF ideal rural
conditions, would be First, improving the intel
lectual and social life; second, diminishing the
burdens and hardships and Inconvenience;
third, increasing the returns from the labor
expended and capital invested.
Sufficient schools, churches, good road, tele-
phones, rural free delivery Of mails, and in
creased transportation facilities, are slowly but
surely supplying the first and second factors.
Some other elements are needed, or some stimu-
lation and extension of those mentioned.
| would suggest the formation in every
county of a Chamber of Agriculture. Such So
cieties for the country should be somewhat
similar to boards of trade or chambers OF COM
merce now established in the cities showing en-
4auuu;no onJ rroc would houn Cl1ah or.
CARNATIONS authorized and directed by law.
Perhaps some adaptation of the Act OF 1894
under which such Chambers of Agriculture
were established in Prussian Provinces is feas-
ible. They would have the care Of all matters
pertaining to agriculture and forestry in their
Districts, with specific regard to more COM
plete cooperative organization OF farmers. |
would have these chambers Differed by the
most progressive and successful farmers and
managed by experts. They would discuss, plan,
direct and promote agricultural operations and
develop in their respective areas. They would
be active, dynamic forces, giving life, energy
and enthusiasm as they worked out the adj
vancement, both technical and economic, OF ag-
interests which they would officially
represent.
Other German States have followed the ex-.
ample of Prussia in establishing these agricul-
tural societies, and | can see how they might
of very great usefulness and benefit in
the problems of the farmer. The aver
age farmer in the United States. earns about
$500 per annum-less than So per day. That
is, he realizes that much in gross returns from
his toll and capital, after taking all the chances
and working longer hours and harder than he
would work in almost any other occupation.
1t takes the farmer about ten hours to labor
to earn 81 whereas the mar on the railroad
carried his product to market earns 81
about 21a hours.
The situation is discouraging to our young
While the consumer complains about the
rice he pays for farm products that complaint
$ not to be lodged against the farmer-the pro-
Somewhere between the farm and the
table billions of dollars, probably seven
billion, disappear, annually. Some portion of
his belongs to the farmer. Some portion of
t belongs to the consumer. We must solve this
Of distribution which to-day is abso-
utely unsolved in this country. This would