Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-02-08
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Agricultural Food Producer,.


Mr. Editor: Some things we are enti-
tied to know and, ought to have known
long ago. One Of them is this: why the
agricultural food producers have not
been met, in some degree at least, in
their economic sacrifices on the former
values of their products until now when
they are compelled to practice rigid
economy or face a deficit at the end of
the year.
The fact ought to roll the conscience
of every thoughtful, even thoughtless,
with fruit of their toll
This is no imaginary theme, for I
know whereof 1 state for I shared my
early experience with Them
No class, sect or race is beset with
such combination of responsibilities as
the farmer. He Is riveted to his task
more days and more hours of the day
than any other toiler in the universe.
His seasons to pillow, sow, cultivate
and harvest are divinely presented in
their regular order, and If either is
sighted he pays the penalty with want /;
| II faithful, he takes what comes provl-
dentially.
| The limit OF his control over matur-
| ing products ends with his seed and toll
results are conditioned on contingencies
l I,
he is at the mercy of the merciless-
seed, toll and hopes vanish, with no al
| tentative except to endure the trial and
! repeat 1t from year to year.
| Notwithstanding modern facilities for
| the protection of maturing crops. the en-
| terprise is fraught withs Universities Pc
culiar to that specific occupation. Blight
| late or early frost. bug, worm and in
| sect destruction have become proverbial
| and multiply the tolls of the toiler sup
| plemented with cost Of insecticides and
paraphernalia.
| Manufacturing mercantile, profession
| al and a multitude Of minor pursuits
| tmany Of which are more of a menace
than help to wholesome civilization
| have lured the farmers rightful depend
ence and legitimate successor from their
native SOIL there to leave their pioneers
well worn and often decrepit. to face a
| forIorn problem.
Thus the place receives the stigma
| "old abandoned farm" to be bartered of
| at the sacrifice Of life time Of toll.
Inasmuch as the soil produces the
fundamental necessities of life for the
whole human race, 1t becomes an invol
untary duty OF every partaker of Its
fruits to respect and honor the calling
but In this age and generation of me-
trepolitan luxury. such sentiment woulf
scarcely find Judgment in the minds o.
It's unapprecistive .partakers.
However there remains a comfor
that overshadows all the subservient at
tributes OF the toiler. He can survive
when metropolltans are in want, he cal
feast while they famish tf he SO elecD
and when accumulations OF supplies ar
exhausted we must initiate Israel ant
Egypt and bow to him.
For inordinate pride he Is the exclu
sion For neighhorly kindness In time
OF trouble or affection he is at tn
threshold with assistance; what create
stress can we attach his encomiums o
physical importance \ I submit the in
terrogation to those who have discovere
nobler virtues. ,at
Perhaps I have sufficiently chaerine
those whose estimate is much less ap
preeiative: IL So I beg their modifyin
confederation. and resort TO the econ
. onnic as well az the moral attitude to
ward a reciprocal sequence.
Food and fuel being the two funda
mental allies to preserve human exist
,, ence. it would seem proper and in orde
!, to treat the latter first, IN a commercis
. point of view.
In taking panoramic survey OF ar
thracite fuel, It's universal and unfatt