The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-07-26

SMALL FARMS ARE RAPIDLY INCREASING
orally if not at the very top notch ever
recorded are certainly on the highest
general level ever known.
In some cases the price is still
mounting, and, while the result is
more or less burdensome to city peo-
pie, farmers who are properly equip
ped are coming money. The opportu-
nifty is theirs, and If they are not
reaping liberal profits it is owing to
misfortune or faulty management.
Not only are prices uniformly high,
but there is every indication that they
will remain so. It is not the war
alone that has brought about this stu
alton. The rapid and enormous
growth of cities all over the country
explains the continual and urgent call
for farm commodities. Formerly pro-
ducers were in the majority, but to-
day they are only about 40 per cent
of the population. Men see new op-
portunities in farming, but back of
the profits of this vocation there is
shown a general unrest in the cities.
There is widespread dissatisfaction
with the hardships of life in a me-
tropolis. The larger a town becomes
the more Onerous are the conditions
Of life among the poor and middle
class people. Dag laborers who have
no permanent employment may be
compelled to stick to city life, but
men in other walks who have been
prudent enough to save a few thou
sand dollars can, in a majority of
cases, see a way to better themselves
by taking land and moving to the
country. A proportion of these peo-
pie may locate SO as to retain employ
ment or business in town while keep
ing their families in the country.
This is an ideal plan for those who
are able to adopt it.
The high rate of farm profits enables
landowners to pay liberal wages, and
general betterment5 Of conditions af-
fecting hired men has been brought
about. Wages in the country are the
best ever known, the working day has
been shortened, and the whole situa-
ton as young people look at it has
been improved. Therefore there is an
increased willingness on the part of
single men to take employment in the
agricultural districts. Perhaps the ex.
odus of workmen from town to coun-
try will more than equal that Of fam
lilies who are going back to the land.
All financial men, railroad officials,
statesmen and others whose business
fits them to form intelligent opinions
on the subject do not hesitate to adj
wise young men to settle down as farm
ers. Whether they become landown-
ers or simply work for wages, they are
doing wise thing when they locate
in the country. Careful inquiry through
many openings for young laboring men
who wish employment as farm hands.
The average rate of pay is not under
$50 month. In many cases expert
enced men who show qualifications as
managers receive much more than
this. Perhaps the most common rate
Of payment in Illinois is $50 month
and board. AS there are fewer temp
tations to squander money in the coun-
try than in the city young men find
that they are able to save about eight
tenths of their earnings. The belief is
commonly expressed that as these facts
are spread among city toilers the move
ment to the rural districts will grow,
especially as young men come to re-
alize that they can count on the ele-
ment of permanency in farm life.