The Marshall republican. [volume] (Marshall, Saline County, Mo.) 1899-1914, 1914-04-17
IDEAL FARM
NEICHBORHOOD

class of people upon the land-will
be accomplished not only when coun-
try life Is made adequately and per-
satisfying, writes Mabel
Carney in Country Life and the Coun-
try School. Part satisfaction, even
financial prosperity, does not suffice.
The wealthiest agricultural states
show even greater rural depletion
during the last decade than the poor
or sections. In Illinois. which ranks
first in farm values. rural population
decreased In sixty-eight counties be-
tween 1900 and 1910. In Iowa the
total rural population decreased per
cent during the same period. A Qg-
nificant aspect of this shifting OF far
mers Is the rapid growth OF tenantry
and landlordlsm. Forty per cent OF
the farms IN the United States are
now operated by tenants. Deserted
churches. poor schools. broken COM
munities and oittimes poor farming.
all declare the evils of this system.
No satisfying rural civilization thr-
.oughout the history OF agriculture
has ever been constructed upon a
system OF tenantry and landlordism.
The cornerstone of every successful
rural social order Is that land shall
be titled by those who own and cher
ish II. 1t is therefore apparent that
solving the farm problem means hold
Ing land owners In the country. To
do this it'is necessary TO make coun-
try life as satisfying as that OF tho
town or city That this can be done
IL exempl.fied In many country neigh
borhoods. but nowhere better than In
the Clear Creek community In Putt
nam county. Illinois.
In this community there Is no dis
satisfaction. no moving to town and
practically no rural problem. The
people OF the Clear Creek neighbor-
hood. with two or three exceptions,
arc all land owners. each man own.
Ing only the land he can personally
operate, usually from so TO 60 acres
All are economically prosperous be-
cause scientific farming is the rule
The homes OF the community, though
by no means magnificent. are com.
Portable and attractive, and, like the
farms. carefully planned and scienti
ncally managed. But the dlstingu.
ishing feature OF this neighborhood
the magnet that draws and holds con.
tentedly about II some OF the most
capable men and women In the state
Is q well-dclinCd and roundly develop
cd community center, consisting OF 1
consolidated school, grange and 1
church.
This school, with It's beautiful
wooded grounds OF twenty-four acres
It's commodious. well-equipped build
Ing. its well-trained teaching fore,
and its excellent course of stud,
worked out In terms OF country life
and affording instruction through al
accredited high school, has attracte,
the attention OF educators and coun
try life workers throughout the Unit
ed States. The John Swaney Con
solidated School to quote a committe
OF the National Educational Associa
ton, is probably the most idea
country school In the United States.
within few rods OF the schoo
building stands the Grange Hal
where twice month for the last fort
years Clear Creek people have me
Tor social and educational purpose
and have discussed questions OF agrI
culture and country life. To IN
dominating influence OF the Grang
more than TO any other single fore
is due the progress that marks thi
community. Grange influence ha
developed leadership, has sustained
nigh idealism OF personal integrit
and social responsibility and, aboy
! all, has fostered the spirit OF co-oI
Grafton through which this ideaiIsl
has been worked out and made tane
ible Tor community benefit.
! But the highest expression OF pei
sonal and social jdealism in the Clea
Creek neighborhood Is found in III
little plain meeting house.. Th
church of early Quaker establishmer
, Is true community institution, d.
a manding neither creeds nor doctrin,
/, and preaching religion in terms ,
country life. All who seek felloy
= ship with God through magnifyir
: the Godship OF men and cherishir
4 the worth of the native EARTH" al
welcomed to its membership.
Good schools, churches, efficiel
labor, social advantages and all Il
/, attractions that draw farmers to Il
!, town or city are the result of cor
= munity effort. The city. Il is col
II