The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-06-25
FARM JEWELLERS
ASK FOR BOOKS
Announcement of the Books for
Everybody" Movement
Brings Letter Flood.
INFORMATIVE WORKS SOUGHT
Requests for Reading Matter Range
From Volume on Drainage to
Collins "Book Of the
Stars"

The announcement Of the entrance
Of the American Library Association
upon IT, Books for Everybody" move
ment and still later news accounts Of
the activities of the organization along
these lines resulted in a widespread
appeal from residents of the rural dis
tricts of the country for books on farm
Ing. Whether the American farmer 10
simply evidencing his ambition to do
good job better or whether the better
crops Of his neighbor, who has attend
ed an agricultural college or school, has
spurred him on is matter difficult to
determine But the fact remains the
farmer is asking for books. The great
majority of American farmers are ell
Their without libraries and book service
or they are inadequately served.
One of the points which the Ameri-
can Library Association in its Books
for Everybody" movement is strongly
urging is the extension Of the county
library system in states where enabling
acts have been passed-some twenty
one in number-and the proper legisla-
ton in others which have not yet TAX
en- the step. The system, with its GEN.
trail library and radiating lines to sta
tons in the remotest sections of the
county, assures good books to every
man, woman and child who cares to
reach out hand and grasp one.
Letters Show Need Of Service.
The American Library Association Is
not giving its entire attention to the
urban dweller, nor is 1t neglecting the
centers of population for the rural dis
tricts and communities. 1t is, however,
unquestionably eager to create steady
flow of Informative reading to rural
America. That the need for such serv-
ice exists and that 1t is anxiOusly
sought is evidenced in every letter of
this nature received by state library
commissions and by the A. L. A. A few
excerpts have been selected because
they seem to express most truly the
needs Of thousands of others.
When Lydia Carlson, whose farm
is beyond Mason, Wis, asked for copies
Of productive Farm Crops" "Pro-
ductive Vegetable Growing" and "Prin-
ciples of the Practice Of Poultry Rails
ing" she echoed the book needs Of her
neighbors. Then she revealed the fact
that her eyes are not always In the
burrows by asking for copy Of Col
Inns Book of the Stars"
What Others Desired.
There was a pressing need behind
the letter from James Dunn, who lives
ten miles from Convent, La, the near
est town, which has population Of
only 500 people. He asked for copy
of "Practical Farm Drainage" The
task of keeping his acres dry was be-
yond him. Walter Williams Of Osseo,
Wis, wanted to know If he could make
fuel alcohol from frozen potatoes and
spoiled fruits, and If he could, were
there any hooks on the subject. The
requests run the whole range of farm
operations. Some wish to know how
to treat scale. others desire facts on
hog raising. Books giving information
on crop rotation are in demand.
The American Library Association
is raising a 100000 fund to finance
the Books for Everybody" movement
which during the next three years will
be carried on in cooperation with exist.
Ing libraries and library agencies. The
money is not being raised through the
medium of an intensive drive but
through the individual efforts of the
librarians, library trustees and friends
of libraries.