The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-02-25
"Better Off On
the F arm y
An Interview with Secretary Of Agriculture
DAVID F HOustoa BY Edward B. Clark

farm @sy the farm" The belief Of all the government stu
dents of agricultural conditions the United States that if the farming
industry be made increasingly profitable and that if conditions of farm life
beted the "Back the farm movement will take of itself In
other words the magnet will be the farm and will draw itself the
dweers In the cities who ambitious to better their condition
Secretary Houston asked your correspondent give message
those who engaged in comprehensive plan show the boys of their
communities that it advisable to stay the farm instead of leaving
the ury and uncertainty of city life Mr. spoke
fengy the subject He combined statement of what being done
the federal and state give the farming life holding quail
ties with the growing opportunities for young make
signal success of agricultural occupations.
t not SO much problem of bringing young men back to the farm
it of improving agricultural conditions and rural life
make clear the young that they will be better off in the long
by staying where they are than by going elsewhere
"he great problem confronting the nation gru
ure profitable and the rural life comfortable attractive and heahu
T successfully attack that problem shall be relieved of the
necessity OF talking much about staying on the farm Of going back
the farm All the efforts of Immigrant colleges and of this department
directed to this end The agencies becoming consolidated the
extent and efficiency of machinery and financial support has been forth
coming from the states and the nation which combined spending at
present $6OOOOOOO year through the Immigrant colleges and the state
and federal departments of agriculture for the improvement of gru
tunl and rural life.
he aim production through plant and animal breed
ing better cultural methods eradication control plant and animal
diseases which costing hundreds millions year, study
problems agriculture improve distribution especially marketing and
develop community cooperation and teamwork with view to the better
standardization and handling of products and fuller knowledge of mar
ke and market conditions and the transportation Of poducsn short
a better organization Of rural life
In the interest of the young people organizing large number
agricultural clubs canning clubs poultry clubs clubs hog clubs
and The work being promoted by the demonstration force now
cooperative machinery under the joint support Of andant colleges and
the federal department
n many counties throughout country there county agents
whose duty to work with the farmers the farms for the improve
ment of agricultural conditions they affect production and distribution
Under the Smever the and the nation together will be
expanding years 100000 yearly for this extension OF gru
tural education
reasonably clear with the natural opportunities we have and
with the improvements made the farmers uppmenng these agencies
the opportunities for young make farming will
increased gradually and that outside of the actual business of
farming there loud call for leaders OF all these enterprises rural
districts.
81 why aspiring country boy should not direct his
attention opportunities presented this great field of effort rather
than the other industrial offerings presented by city life
Secretary Houston spoke strongly of three factors of the problem Of
how keep young the farm They good rural schools first
class country roads and attractive social life Schools and bright
ening the social life wholly state and community problems In the
matter the improvement Of roads the federal government has voice
and power
The secretary has heartfelt interest the solution of the rural
school problem He believes others believe with him. that the boy and
m in the country should have opportunities for education that
are given to the girl of the city, The lack of proper educational
facilities country districts he believes has sent ambitious parents
the cities in order to their children the adyan
tages which the schools of the large centers afod