Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-04-21

While the state OF Iowa has other
resources, farming is its chief and
immediate resource and employ
ment. Also. Iowa is mainly a rolling
prairie OF uniform and extraordinary
fertility. II 10 this be added usually
eurncient rainfall, 1t will be seen
mat farming comes easy as fairly
dependable livelihood, free largely
from the plague OF drought and hot
winds which are often the portion
OF the agricultural world in the
Great Plains states to the west
Iowa usually raises more corn
than any other state in the Union,
and therefore has more hogs than
any OF its sister states. 1t long ago
learned the lesson. neglected until
lately by the South. that the most
profitable farming lay in selling It's
PRODUCTS in the shape OF four.footed
livestock.
So Iowa is the home Of many rich
and prosperous farmers, too rich
and prosperous sometimes for the
sood OF the state. Driven at times
by a desire for leisure or by the so
cial ambition OF their wives and
daughters, who very naturally have
crown weary OF the toll and drudg-
cry OF farm life, they retire to some
pleasant country town, and that
town Immediately goes dead Gas ev-
cry travelling man knows) if it has
sufficient number OF these retired
farmers. They display little interest
In the growth and prosperity of the
town. Meanwhile they rent their
farms. and there ensues all the evils
OF tenantly and absentee landlord
Ism.
Iowa State College Work
Among the productive factors of
Iowa Is the State Agricultural Col
lege. at Ames. 1t is among the old
est and best known OF these institu-
tons in the country and a pioneer
in real achievements. For many
years its efforts were largely those
OF efficient production, but OF late
Il realizes that there are two vital
factors in farm life; that of making
at least a fair living and Of render
Ing life on the farm worth while.
While IL always will pursue the first
endeavor. it is giving more and
more attention to the second propo-
sition.
Recently the college made a SOC
ial survey of the little township OF
Lone Tree. in Clay County, north.
western Iowa. There are two rail
roads running through the township.
clay county is among the leaders
in the state in mileage OF gravel
roads. There are eighty.five farm
houses and 1872 persons in Lone
Tree township. exclusive OF the lit
tie village OF Everly.
The results of the survey are the
story in little not only of this min
lite fragment of humanity but of the
whole agricultural community in
this great country OF ours and Of
TIE drift OF all our civilization. If
country life decays there is scant
hone fo9 the rest OF the nation
There is increase in tenantry in
Lone Tree township, yet the major
itE of the tenants expect to become
landowners. Many farms are mort
a2@ed, not because OF the poverty
Of the farmers. hut 70" the same
reasons that commercial concerns
borrow money-to expand their bus.
mess.
Small Town Does Big Business
some Of the rich farmers are
heavy buyers OF livestock, and also
of land in the Dakotae. An idea of
the richness OF the surrounding
country may be gathered from the
statement that EVERY. with only
412 inhabitants, in one way or an
other does an annual business of
more than q half million dollars. In
edition to that. Evegly is one OF
the largest shippers of livestock in
the state.
There exists a fine spirit OF bust
ness honesty and morality in the
Lone Tree community. Much bust
hess is done on credit, but losses
are very small. In educational adj
vantages and in their results the
pwnship measures up very well with
the rest OF the state. both as to be-
Ing reading population and as to
the per centage who attended high
schools and colleges and uniyersit-
bes. In fact they are above the gen
eral average.
The religious life Of the commun-
Ny is at low ebb considering tho
prosperity OF its people. A large
percentage OF church membership is
Irregular in attendance The people
are hungering and thirsting for the