El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-05-13
PEOPLE EAGER
NOWFORFARN5
Soldiers, Civilians and Even
Women Besiege U. S.
For Farm Homes.

" aslluE LOls D. - May 4a--LnaL 2
great many Americans. including re-
turned soldiers and sailors. are
anxious to become farmers so that
they may share in the high prices
now being paid for farm products is
shown by the work of the homeseek-
ers' bureau Of the United States rail-
road administration.
During the first three months OF
1913 about 1900 persons applied TO
the bureau for help in getting farms
About Is percent Of these were men
back from war. Town folk who want
70 get out in the country make up an
other large section Of the back TO the
soil army.
some Are in Canada.
Farmers who have sold out lands
at fancy prices in thickly settled
parts Of the country and want TO buy
larger places farther west. are also
among the applicants. Some Of these
farmers want TO buy places for boys
just back from war. There are also
number of applications from farm
ers in Canada These generally went
there from the United States and now
want TO return
The men returned from war usually
state they wish TO continue an out
door life Il is interesting TO note
that majority Of the returned SOL
diers mention either that they have
just been married or that they are
Just about TO be married
Women Also Would Farm.
Most Of the women who write to
the bureau express an interest in
fruit growing. dairying or poultry
raising: but there are some women
who want to tackle the heavy work Of
general farming, and some who want
to raise cattle. In a number OF cases,
three or four women have pooled their
resources TO buy a farm A majority
OF those who give their previous oc-
equations have been school teachers
About 2I5,o00.000 acres of good
farm land are lying idle This land
is scattered throughout the west and
south and can be purchased at mod
crate prices Government officials
predict that there viii be a CONTINUED
heavy demand all over the world for
American food products for some
years
Ripley Devised the Plan.
To help a homeseeker locate. to
start him right, and then 70 find a
market for his products. are the OBJ
jects Of the homeseekers' bureau The
idea originated with F. p. Ripley.
president Of the Santa Fe railroad
His scheme was 10 interest people fin
z u
traversed by the Santa Fe road. His
colonization plan worked out so well
that the scheme was soon afterwards
adopted by other railroads. with the
result that when the government took
control, nearly all the principal lines
in the south and west had agricul-
tural departments.
These departments were all united
under one division, known as the
hOmeseekers' bureau. by William c.
McAd0o, former director general Of
the railroad administration. on ac-
count OF the war, the activities Of
this bureau we're temporarily sus-
pended, but recently director general
Walker D. Hines directed the bureau
TO resume its work
A simple plan had been worked out
by the bureau 10 assist the home
seeker in finding suitable farm land
For Instance. If homeseeEer is
anxious 20 locate along the Union Pa
cific railroad. ne IS placed in touch
with the agricultural supervisor Of
that road by the bureau The agent
of the Union Pacific directs the home
seeker TO reliable real estate agent7
in the community in which he wishes
10 settle. steering him clear OF land
sharks After the hOmeseeker has
bought land. the railroad agent uOti-
fies the county agricultural agent
who is paid by both the government
and the county. He calls upon the
newcomer and helps him TO start. The
county agent supplies all Information
regarding methods of soil preparation,
seeding and cultivation.
Revival Of Farm Interest.
J. /. Edwards. Of Washington. is
head OF the bureau. He is confident
the time is at hand when city folks
viii take TO the farm in large num-
bers If they can be shown the way
he lately visited the principal agri-
cultural states, and everywhere he
found q revival Of farm development.
Newspapers. bankers. chambers Of
commerce, associations of farmers
and kindred organizations seem 10 be
awake 10 the importance OF more and
better farming in this country
The great war has left hundreds
OF millions OF people in Europe and
parts Of Asia on short rations-many
actually starving Immense areas or
agricultural country have been devas-
tated; cattle, horses. hogs, sheep and
poultry killed; farm implements de-
stroyed; orchards, gardens and vine
yards torn up by shell fire and some
25.o0o,o09 Of the best young men Of
the world slain or wounded The
world looks to the American farmer
for salvation" said Mr.. Edwards.
The bureau is giving special atten-
ton 10 the Improvement Of marketing
conditions by the wide circulation OF
Information in bulletin form as to
where and when farm products may
be sold to the greatest advantage
.im-s past" said Mr. Edwards.
stories have been told about food
roofing in field and orchard in par
ticular section Of the country while
people in another section were in need
Of f. With the proper cooperation on
the part Of the railroads, I don't think
we will hear so much Of that sort OF
thing again. Markets viii be found
and the means Of transportation viii
be provided"
Booklets covering the agricultural
conditions in 80 states in the south
and west are being prepared by the
bureau. and viii be furnished free OF
charge 10 anyone who wries the
Homeseekers' Bureau, United States
Railroad Administration, Washington,
ID. c.
Hero Returns To Find