Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-13

Of unoccupied farms in New, England
is constantly increasing and We may
as we'll face the facts. To deny it is
to do what has been done too long.
The referred to North American
has gltmpsed the real menace in the
second paragraph of the following:
Even city folks know that for many
years young people born and raised
on farms have been leaving their ma
tive surroundings as fast as possible.
And while city dwellers may not have
appreciated the menace Of such a sit
uation. those responsible for the food
supply and general welfare Of the ma
ton have known it could not continue
without disastrous results.
The twenty. story skyserapsr is an
impressive evidence Of commercial
prosperity, but If desertion Of farms
were to continue at the rate Of recent
years, it would not be long until New
Works beasted SKYLINE became hoI-
low moekery Of everything for which
it now stands.
The government at Washington is
an impressive piece of machinery,
but its many wheels would stop and
stay idle il the plows, harrows. cult
vators and reapers and binders ceased
working in quiet fields.
The hen, the COW and the hog are
such vitality necessary supporters Of
democracy that one of the most i'm
portant of present needs IS to keep
the young folks on the farms-to cul-
tivate the food fields and tend the
food stock and turn to the farm many
more who never have thought about
the need for them In that direction.
Whatever is decided at the peace
conference in Paris will depend for
it's worth not SO much upon certain
signatures as certain sums Of bushels
of wheat, corn and oats, tons of hay,
cases Of eggs. pounds of beef, mutton
and pork and gallons of milk. For
food is the prime arbiter of progress
and soil the sole creator of wealth.
That is why every man and woman
who cares about keeping this nation
strong at the foundation should know
of and be Interested in this wide
spread work of improving agriculture
and home life through the boys and
girls.
For several years it has gone along
quietly. guided by faithful men and
women whose names never will be
known outside their daily round. but
whose service to the republic is Of the
highest order.
Already thirty three states arc well
organized, with thousands of active
centers, whose basic aim Is to change
the point of view of American boys
and girls, both rural and urban, SO
they will want to engage in farming
and homcmaking.
This admirable work is training for
community leadership and farm and
home cooperation Of every type and
kind. 1t is training away from the
non productive city pavement to the
fruitful furrow. And showing how
robbed Of the monotony and drnIgcry
attendant upon ancient and wastcful
methods.
1t is socializing community life and
teaching Il host of young folk the adj
vantage of being land owners rather
than wage learners. 1t makes for
healthy bodies and sound thinking.
and paves new roads to achievement.
The great financial interests of the
nation see this. That is why so many
banks are sponsiring pig clubs and
corn clubs and calf clubs.
The education forces see it. That
is why the schools in our smallest
cities and towns are SO cordially CO.
operating with the farm bureau Of
ficials. opportunity thus offered them.
1t is an inspiring experience to attend
one Of their meetings and note the
glow of pride in their eyes as they
walk up to get medals and dollars for
the latest porkers and sleekest milk
ers and most prolific layers.
There are so many vital" consd
erations in these complex times that
some measure Of bewilderment is ex-
cusable. But the secure basing of
our agricultural structure is of more
importance than anything else, and
above all things our boys and girls
must be made to see and appreciate
this