The Huttig news., 1915-02-06
TIE RURAL PRESS
The Local Paper a Most Useful Agency on the Farm-The Press, Pulpit an. School Trinity of Influence That Must Be Utilized ln
 Building Agri-
 culture.
By Peter Rsdford
Lecturer National Farmers Union.


 on the sdbjee. of rural life is needed in this .tate today to bring the problems of the farm- CTS 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 obseurcs the substance. A searching investi- gation into the needs of the farm CTS will reveal many inherent de- tects Ill 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 trinity or pow erful influences that the farmer must utilize to their fullest ca pacity before he can occupy 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. l heir 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 we'll as farm periodicals and such other publications as he may find profitable, but he should by alr means subscribe for his local paper, and no nom. should be without it. The Ioca 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 civili- zation has placed upon the rural press renewed responsibilities, and enlarged possibilities for use fulness. It cannot perform its mission to agriculture by record ing the frailties, the mishaps and inordinate ambitions of human ity, or by filling its columns with the echoes of the struggles of busy streets, or by enchanting stories of city life which lure our children from the farm.
 It has higher and nobler task. The rural press IS the gov erning power of public sentiment and must hold steadfast to prin- ciple and keep the ship of state in the roadstead of progress. The rural press can best serve the interests of the farmers by ap- plying its energies to the solution of problems affecting the local community. It must stem the mighty life current that is nov ing from the farm to the cities, sweeping before 1t thousand boys and girls per day. It has to deal with the fundamental problems of civilization at their fountain head. It's mission is to direct growth, teach efficiency and mold the intellectual life of the country, placing before the public the daily problems of the farmers and giving first attention to the legislative, cooperative. educational and social needs of the agricultural classes within it's respective community.
 The Power of Advertising.
 The influence of advertising is clearly visible in the homes and habits of the farmers, and the advertising columns of the press are making their imprint upon the lives of our people.
 The farmer is entitled to all the advantages and deserves all the luXuries of life. We need more art, science and useful ia cilities on the farms, and the ad vertiser can render a service by teaching the advantages of mod ern equipment throughout the columns of the rural press.