The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-05-31
Foundation Column
MOUNTAIN BAND
REPORTS FROM THE SOUTHERN
MOUNTAIN WORKERS CON-
FERENCE WHICH WAS HELD
IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE,
APRIL II AND ~

/ llf
Oscar Wilson made report on the
general spirit and inspirations, and
made q brief survey Of the address
| by Commissioner Claxton which was
general outline Of the topics dis
cussed by the other speakers. From
among the many things Of interest
which Commissioner Claxton said
we quote the following: Fellow
mountain whites, you are the pure
American aristocracy." Here the
speaker spoke at length on the an
ccstry Of the mountain people, their
school problems and the best solu-
ton for them.
After the war the speaker said
that the United States must lead
other nations. 1--WE are told by
Moses that we should lend to all
and borrow from none. Certainly
the United states will keep that
commandment
The opportunities of the Appa-
lachians were discussed at length.
some day this region will be the
richest IN the United states. not cx-
crpting the oil fields. Here are
found vast deposits of ore. timber
land, watcrpowcr, and within the
radius Of 500 miles about 50OO0,OOO
people. All these are here and
awaiting development. ! believe
YOU are 10 be a great industrial sec
ton.
Miss Enula Hill gave a report Of
what has been done by the Fireside
Industries IN the different Mountain
schools. She also gave the report
from the lecture Of Dr. Harold W.
Foehts. specialist in rural cduca-
ton. who was sent 90 Denmark ia
1919 by the United states TO make a
study of the Danish school system
of rural education, and to see how
far it can be made practical for the
southern mountains. To those in
tcrcsted IN the work. 1t would be Of
great value 30 read Doctor Foghts'
book which Is IN the Library.
liarl Tate gave report on the
speech by Dr. !. Russell Smith Of the
University Of Pennsylvania. who has
experimental on Blue Ridge noun
tain farm in northern Virginia for
twenty years. He says. Our
southern Appalachians can be made
more productive acre for acre than
the corn belt lands OF Ohio and Indi-
ana. But in order 10 do this the
owners must quit trying TO do level
land farming on hOuse-roof slopes.
N present the worst dcstroyers Of
America are not the Germans, but
the men who make gullcs down our
hlll-sidcS. and there are plenty 81
them too. We must raise crops that
grow on trees and hold the land with
their roots. Don't plant apple, peach.
and cherry trees for there is no mar
kct for the fruits IN the mountain
sections, raise only enough for your
own use. Raise your cora. alfalfa,
on the more level lands and cover
the hlll-sidcs with trees that will
make food for the pigs, cows, sheep,
chickens, and goats. This is the
only way out for the farmer and
patriot"
The following trees were recon-
mended.
Mulberry trees OF the grated
cver-bearing kind, yield for three
months, May 10 July. Pigs and
chickens love the fruit.
Pcrslmmons that grow wild in our
poorest old fields are a great food
crop in japan and every animal on
the American farm eats them greed
lily, even the dog. Graft your trees
thick with the best native kind and
you have provided yourself with fat
pigs for two generations.
Two dozen chestnut oak trees will
furnish more food for hogs than
several acres Of corn. These can be
gathered and tried with little labor.
A dozen walnut trees along the
Ienee row, If the nuts are cared for,
VIII bring more clear money TO the
farmer than he otherwise handles in
a year.
Hickory, hOney-locust, English
walnuts and the pecan grow we'll in
The mountains and pay handsome
profits. Every country boy and girl
ought to be taught how 10 graft and
bud these useful trees. This should
De as surely part OF his or her
education as long division, and 1t
VIII help turn ten thousand hills
rom gaping gullies into green pro-
iuctlye, enduring orchards that will
mold the soil, and feed men and his
ANIMALS for generations TO come"
Hs lSussssa vsrono