The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1915-04-08
BY Peter Radford
Lecturer National Farmers Union.

A broad campaign Of publicity
on the subject of rural life i
needed in this state today t.
bring the problems Of the farm
ers to the forefront. The city
problems are blazoned upon the
front pages of the metropolitan
dailies and echoed in the country
press, but the troubles of the
farmers are seldom told, except
| by those who seek to profit by
the story, and the glitter of the
| package ofttimes obscures the
substance. A searching investi-
cation into the needs of the farm
ers will reveal many inherent de-
fects in Our economic system that
can be easily remedied when
properly understood and illumi-
mated by the power of the press.
The rural press, the pulpit and
the school are a trinity Of pow
erful influences that the farmer
must utilize to their fullest ca
pacity before he can occupy a
commanding position in public
affairs. These gigantic agencies
are organized in every rural COM
munity and only await the pat
ronage and cooperation of the
farmers to fully develop their
energy and usefulness. They are
local forces working for the best
interests of their communities.
Their work is to build and their
object is to serve. They prosper
only through the development
and prosperity Of the community.
Every farmer in this state
should subscribe for the local
paper, as well as farm periodicals
and such other publications as
he may find profitable, but he
should by all means subscribe
for his local paper, and no home
should be without it. The local
paper is part of the community
life and the editor understands
the farmers problems.
A Noble Task.
In too many instances the
country papers mimic the city
press by giving prominence to
scandals, accidents and political
agitation. The new rural civil
cation has placed upon the rural
press renewed responsibilities,
and enlarged possibilities for use
tulness. 1t cannot perform its
mission to agriculture by record
ing the frailties, the mishaps and |
nordinate ambitions of human
~, eF-eyflling IT'S columns with
The echoes of the struggles of
busy streets, or by enchanting
stories Of city life which lure our
children from the farm.
1t has a higher and nobler
ask. The rural press is the gov
,rnlng power of public sentiment
md must hold steadfast to prin-
:iple and keep the ship OF state
n the roadstead OF progress. The
ural press can best serve the
interests of the farmers by ap-
lying its energies to the solution
II problems affecting the local
ommun1Ay. 1t must stem the
mighty LIE current that is NOV
ne from the farm to the cities,
weeping before it a thousand
oys and girls per day. It has
0 deal with the fundamental
roblems of civilization at their
head. It's mission is !
, direct growth, teach efficiency
nd mold the intellectual life Of {
ne country, placing before the
ublic the daily problems of the I
armers and giving first attention |
, the legislative, cooperative, {
EDUCATIONAL and social needs Of
1e agricultural classes within its {
espective community. {
The Power of Advertising.
The influence Of advertising il t
early visible in the homes and
abits of the farmers, and the i,
avertising columns of the press l
e making their imprint upon {
le lives of our people. fl
The farmer is entitled to ali II
le advantages and deserves all 3
le luxuries Of life. We need
ore art, science and useful ia c
lities on the farms, and the ad- II
srtlser can render a service by Il
aching the advantages Of mod G.
n equipment throughout the r.
olumns of the rural press. Il