The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-07-20

boys and girls OF this great re-
gion who are deprived Of the many
social, educational and religious ad-
vantages, I stop. scratch my head
and think what can be done for
these people that they may be
placed on level with the surround
ing countries9"
II Is a fact that this section OF
country has furnished and is fur
nishing great men and women OF
our nation. II is our duty 10 r.
forth every effort possible 10 at
tain 10 the highest system OF ed',-
cation in each community that these
boys and girls, many OF whom are
idling away golden moments, may
be placed in an atmosphere where
education and Christianity predom-
mate.
What does education mean 10 the
mountain people7 II means: better
schools, better churches, better
farming, a better social life, happier
and more prosperous homes, and IL
means that the young people will
find il a suitable place 10 live and
enjoy life instead OF seeking en-
ployment in the cities, as many have
done and are doing today.
II you were 10 visit some noun
tain homes, the following is about
what you would find: upon enter
ing the home you would notice
poorly kept fences almost hidden
by briars and bushes, and beyond
which Is a weedy cornfleld. The
roads become almost impossible
from lack Of care, and the land is
wonderfully washed and barren.
showing that the much-needed ro-
tation OF crops and the careful pres
ervation OF the soil is greatly neg
lected. On the other hand you will
notice a badly delapidated, unsani-
tary dwelling with a ragged roof
and lettering cornerstones. Through
the small window you will see the
form Of a mother and many chill
dren anxiously watching TO see who
the nearing stranger may be. Up
on inquiring for the man OF the
house you are told that he has gone
fishing, some three or four miles,
or is out hunting. Following him
10 the riverside you Immediately
see, not only a man, but a boy OF
ten sitting by his side waiting silent
ly for nibble. Then you engage In
conversation with them and the So
called farmer will probably tell you
that his crop Is in bad condition.
and make many complaints about
things that he could very easily
remedy IL he would only take in
terest in his farm work and put
II before pleasure. Ask the boy
why he is not in school and he will
Immediately tell you that the school
is probably three miles away, that
he has never gone 10 school but few
days, that he doesn't like the teacher
and therefore doesn't like TO go.
How can you blame the boy under
such conditions? And these are
the conditions that exist today In q
great many OF our mountainous sec
tions that are affecting, not only
these sections, but the nation as q
whole. and will be a hindrance 10
our civilization and prosperity so
long as conditions remain as they
are now.
Here is duty and an opportunity
for each educated man and woman
10 make home conditions better for
these people by introducing more
and better schools and churches
so they will be in reach OF every
person. The roads can be great
~ improved il only a few people
will become Interested enough 10
talk good roads and start some
by which they may be
made better.
II Is coming 20 be realized more
md more each day that the farm,
rom which 90 per cent OF all the
wealth comes, should receive great
n attention, not only in the sections
where farming is a great industry,
)ut in the mountainous sections
where the farmer is forced to pay
" cents per bushel for corn and
'25 per ton for hay TO feed while
rowing a crop, simply because they
rave not put forth the proper effort
md do not know what is required
o produce a good crop. Therefore,
I is OF great Importance that each
county has an agricultural agent
Who can devote his entire time TO
helping the farmer by going out on
his farm and advising him by hold
ng farmers meetings and teaching
hem the most practical crops 10
row and how TO grow them best
md get the greatest yields that the