The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-03-26
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2s, 1913.
FARMERS EDUCATION AND
LABOR.

Problems relating to the farm. the
farmer and farm life are being stud
led all over the country, n theories
of all kinds are advanced concerning
them. In a recent article the New
York Times touches on some phases OF
the question. and does SO in an in
structive way. The Times says:
THE department of agriculture
has made a house-to-house can
vass through thirteen states and
has learned that 40 per cent Of
the farmers visited took no stock
in farmers institute delnonstra-
ton agents. farm papers or de-
partment Of agriculture publica-
tions as aids in helping to make
the soil more productive. OF the
farmers who got department of
agriculture bulletins, 81 per cent
read them and As per cent fol-
lowed the suggestions contained
therein. Of those who attended
farmers institutes. it was learned
that So per cent practiced the
methods advocated there.
ut is encouraging to learn that so
many turn their backs on the learning
brought to their doors regarding the
betterment Of their profits from the
land. Even more surprising is the
statement that only half of those who
have the learning use it. What can
be the explanation? The reason is
twofold. The influx of cheap labor
from other lands is discouraged by Law
inspired by union fear Of competition,
although the unions themselves will
not work the soil. And, secondly,
such cheap labor as there is hired
away from the land abnormally. For
example. in the letter of the president
of the New York Central railway re-
garding the full crew law, we read:
The most discouraging obstacle
in the way Of agricultural inn
provement is the absolute inability
to secure help. Dairy farmers arc
selling their COWS, producers of
cereals. vegetables, and fruit are
having their operations curtailed
every year on cou of the in
ability to obtain efficient help.
This bill if it becomes a law will
draw from the present inadequate
of New York approximately g.
900 men.
This is the reason why New York
imports farm products to the value
Of millions annually, although it has
the land to raise a great deal more
than the $30o,00c.oo0 which it doe.
produce. This is the reason why the
state is now c%ultivating one million
fewer acres at the end Of a decades
cry of back to the land.' During this
same decade the production OF New
York butter fell from $4,000, 000
pounds to 25.000,0oo.
ION q broader view this explains
also much that is happening in the
nations agriculture. There is no rea-
son, in theory. why more bushels to
the acre cannot be raised by intelli-
gent culture. liberal fertilization, and
generally, accoring to the teachings OF
farmers like Mr.. Hill. 1t would he
a good thing for the eaters of farm
products, for the carriers Of them,
and. in short, for everybody. Why,
then, does the reform which every.
body favors lag in its application? II
is the question Of labor. The for
eisners who raise more than Ameri.
cans are favored both by cheaper la.
Dor and by higher prices for what
the cheap labor raises. Under similar
conditions 1t is possible to believe tina,
Americans would raise az much. How
dissimilar conditions are appears from
the governments statement that in
Germany there are 107 agricultural
laborers to each thousand acres
against twenty-five in the United
States. Each German .cultivates ter
acres. but in the United States there
are forty acres to each person engaged
In agriculture. Considering the pres.
ent state Of the labor market, how
could farmers find a fourfold suppl,
of cultivators at any economic price
or even perhaps at any price? Gu,
tarners are not so blind to where dol.
lars grow as many think. Doubles,
education would do much to increas.
the yield per acre. There is no nos.
sible reason why the good worl
should not be helped along. but with
enthusiasm tempered by the limita
tons of the case. Even MIR. Hill,
marked success as a farmer did no
tempt him from the railroad back Il
The land. For a like reason, although
IN less degree. many find that the,
can make more money in other way,
than by agriculture, or find farmini
too labortous compared with workin.
eight hours for q wage higher tina,
the market rate. The low rate of pro
duction per acre is not altogether /.
matter of too little fertilizer and to,
much stupidity"
There 10 no doubt that the labo,
situation has an important bearing OF
the work OF the farm. Our peopl,
In the northwest have come az closet,
into contact with this problem a. hav
any others. In the fall months her,
he situation becomes acute. rs ev
srybody- knows. Crops stand in tn,
'asld avsiting- the laborer. ana the Ia