The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-08
LAND DRAINAGE

it expected great meeting which IS to be held earlv in
november tor three days St Louis This question becoming
OF vital Importance that lands are selling for $3.50 and $500
an acre tat few years considered high SIS and $40
an acre According the committees report states are in
eresed Florida leading with l85O0OOO that may be
Gained by drainage Arkansas has 100000 acres MsspD
oHOO acres Alabama 10000 acres while Tennessee has only
eVOOo acres Other range six million to as low
zsUO Tor West Virginia But these lands when drained and re-
cae VIII be the richest and productive in the country
producing abundance crops of any sort that may be raised in
any latitude Lands will likely value as they are being
sought more and by homeseekers The
movement has become psychological we'll material oue
ton The wage earners through the educational agencies of their
unions learning that the wages are high or
low the Gbeone must hew wood and draw
water Tor mere subsistence without hope getting ahead
or q having anything for the rainy day fact that he can
call his own The small farm owned by the who cuvates
IT. and who erec his roof and POUNDS home will prove
cure for the hear much about The home
owner will be conservative has something to
conserve AS wage Garner he living from hand mouth
victim to the high cost OF living side and cheap
money that has lost its purchasing the other France
the most prosperous and contened among the because
IS country OF small farms Great land holdings up by
the revolution and the peasant became proprietor The home
= the pccreant nest OF manhood and patriotism however humble
The earth be depended furnish food raiment and shelter
Tor the world and to the soil is the greatest blessing
tha can beiall nation In countries land and
is getting in this country which is filling up with land
owners Our trouble in other countries that lands are fall
ing into the hands OF capitalists who holding them for
latve purposes with thought of cultvatng them This
bad economic policy Lands their highest purpose
must be cultivated and made produce food the mute
Inc mne the factory and the steel plant big but
when living expenses deducted there nothing left Wealth
may accumulate but decay and unless country produces
men IT must also decay With the growing demand for land it
is well that attention be directed the nearly 100000 acres
rich land that may be reclaimed by drainage This much
in high state OF cultivation would sustain in comfort the present
population Of this country.
For many years the cities have been growing an abnormal
rate and the country being stripped and depopulated The
human family is gegarous fe-crowds attract
other crowds And the aggregation away from the
OF food supply Those who remain behind producers ship
their products long distances the sheer
When consumption and production uxtaposd there great
saving in transportation, labor and other expenses
Besides its economic value the home the farm man
builder, and nation builder The home with the cheerful wood
fire. the old clock the mante ticking off the flight of time
the table with the family Bible the PRAYER book the
religious make for the moral and spiritual upbudng Of the
inmates and prepare them for the trials of life Where these
found there wekedness In the Goddess home whether
the farm the village the city there is much sin and wicked
much place the other in proportion popua-
onbut in the rural districts the temptations and pitfalls are
sc we'll concealed.
Ii America is to attain to its full greatness productive
lands be cultivated and made feed home population of
conented and happy people The migration city quest
excitement be arrested least essene and this can
done by making home sacred shrine for the worship God
the cultivation OF the virtues and morates When the Young
and young made feel and know this home is
nine my very they will be restless and eager to get
away to the city and its allurements
The millions Of Of fertile lands that can be reclaimed bv
drainage will furnish millions of homes for multiplied millions OF
people who will make the nation strong prosperous and vrtous
Reclamation OF land reclamation conservation of people
which are and should be the first consideration