Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-21
MEXICAN Poems
To GET LESSONS
IN AGRICULTURE
Methodists Plan a Farm
School; Land Has Already
Been Acquired at Guerra
tero, Bishop States.

Abindon, ILL.,, Sept. 20.-Estab-
! lishment of farm school for the
poems of Mexico, the first of its
| kind in that country, is planned by
| the Methodist Episcopal church,
Bishop Wilbur p. Thirkield, III
Mexico City, announced at the Gen.
trail Illinois conference here. The
short way to civilization in Mexico
he declai ed, is through the training
of farmers in practical agriculture,
and he reported that in two per-
scnal conferences President Obre-
gon had given him strong endorse
ment of the plan.
Land for a demonstration farm
at strategic point at Queratero
has already been acquired and
plans for the school building have
been drawn.
1.-The fundamental problem Of
Mexico is the peons,' Bishop
Thirkield said. Until these ten
millions can be reached and lifte1
into a broader and stronger life,
the republic is not safe. For
century the peon has been used
as the tool Revolutionary leaders.
A new peon, conscious of liberty
with some glimmering conception
| Of human rights, has come to the
! front.
THE question now is into what
channels this fresh, surging tu-
multous, undisciplined life shall be
turned, AS a new social and politi.
cal force the peon must be reckon
ed with.
sees Peril In Poverty.
1.-THE seat of unrest and peril is
in the poverty of the landless peon.
The only stable basis for a democ--
racy in Mexico is the creation OF
a large group Of small land owners.
president Obregons new pro-
gram for Mexico has in view the
purchase of some of the vast tracts
of land and their sale on long
terms to the peon class, duly pro
tecting them in their holdings. To
make this a permanent success the
peon needs practical training as
farmer. He has today neither the
Initiative nor the knowledge ana
skill to win permanent success.
THE states neglect of training IN
agriculture is to be deplored.
president Obregon sees that
there is a relation between i'm
proved crops and social bettermenl::
These solid enduring conditions o.
life must spring from the soil. And
agriculture as an industry is Dasic
in Mexico. Really the principal
industry in Mexico is agriculture
and 1t has vast unrealized posi-
bilities." -
or the aims of the school, Bis1
op Thirkield said:
"The entire work will be practi'
cal. No college Of agriculture ls
MANNED, Students will be given
courses in the elements OF pracu-
cal farming. Teachers OF tarnllhs
Will also be taught.
First of all, the development
Of upright, stable character IN Ile
Students will be kept in view. IN
dustry, patience, thrift, co-opefa
ton. fidelity and honesty Will De
1T is also proposed to have
short courses for farmers to teacn
them better methods. institutes
land farmers conferences Will De
held and through extension worn
as wide a range of territory VIII
he covered as is practical. Courses
in the preservation of fruits ana
other foods, canning, etc.. Will De
given. The Tuskegee idea in tram.
ing Young men to self support
through practical labor as part
of their school work will be EN-.
mia sized. Students will be traineo
in the fundamental branches In
neignboring academy now doing ell
ficient work under SUCCESSFUL
Mexican educator.
Points Out Benefits.
"Such a farm school with aoe-
ouate equipment and endowment
would soon make it's influence fel
in every state of Mexico. 1t Is tins
quickest way to counteract the
movement towards the city. In tne
long run it would have strong m
fluence on the education OF tne
masses through the cohlioh
schools" ,
The peon even now is more sue
cessful as an independent farmsr
than many realize, Bishop Ihif-
kield added.
Rishop Thirkield Goes from here
Ito the Mexican Methodist CONFER,
ence to outline the farm schooi
plan, Definite arrangements TOT
carving 1t into effect have been
made by the board of foreign mis-
sions and the committee on con-
serpation and advance of the Meth
odist Episcopal church.