The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-07-17
RADIO TO PLAY PART IN
FUTURE FARMING

The county agent at the reques
of the federal department of agri
culture has issued to the farmer.
of this community a list of ques
lions for the purpose of ascer
tanning what the farmer most desires
and needs in the way of radio serv-
ice. He is asked to state whether
the practical benefits derived are
sufficient to Justify the cost of in
stalling the radio set from business
standpoint, what kind of information
is preferred and what is considered
the most important, what time of day
market reports are NOSE desirable
and suggestions for improvement of
radio service to those dwelling on
the farm.
This effort on the part of the gov
eminent conducted through the
agency of the farm bureau calls di-
rect attention to the part the radio
is destined to play and is already
playing in the agricultural life of
the nation. Incomplete surveys have
shown that today more than $500
receiving sets are installed in Amer
lean farm homes and the prediction
is confidently expressed by foremost
writers on farm life and by editors
of leading agricultural publications
that the day is not far distant when
the radio set will be as much part
of the farm equipment as the plOw
or the cream separator.
With the lower cost that Is in
evitable as the radio ceases to be a
novelty and comes into more prac-
tical use, more and more the farmer
will find in it not only source of
entertainment and restful pleasure
but will be enabled to put it into
useful operation in keeping in touch
with market conditions, weather
forecasts, specialized farm informa
ton, and matters of direct import
ance to the producers and marketing
class.
AS the automobile was first re-
garded solely as fad then luxury
and finally became necessity, so II
is predicted the radio will find its
place secure as a necessary adjunct
on the farm. The radio indeed Is
declared to possess an appeal to the
farmer more than any other class
of people The diversions of the city
are brought into the home life of
the farmer and his family, providing |
educational and uplifting entertain
ment that tends to make more con-
tented the lot of the boys and girls |
who in recent years have manifested
a growing inclination to leave the
country for the more alluring life of
the towns and cities. No factor
holds greater promise for the de-
struction of the sense of isolation in
cident to farm life than does the ad--
vent of the radio and no other fac
tor will do more to keep the boys
and girls on the farms.
From a realization of the part
the radio is to take on the farm, the
government has recently installed at
Chicago a great broadcasting station
for the sole benefit of the farmers.
Agricultural colleges are planning
extension courses by radio so that
the farm youth of limited means may
have the benefit of technical edu-
cation brought to his own home.
No topic is of greater Importance
to the farmer than the weather and
radio forecasts of weather cOndi-
lions may be of incalculable value
to the farmer in guiding him in the
planting, care and harvesting OF his
crops, the protection Of his orchards,
gardens and livestock. With its as
he may to some extent at
least take protective measures
against hail, frost and drought.
Similar advantage Is to be found
in the opportunity the producer is
given to keep abreast of market con-
ditions REPORTS are sent direct
rom the produce, grain or stock
that puts the seller on an
equal footing with the buyer. One I
great livestock concern broadcasts
market reports to the growers of the
nation five times daily.
A recent survey of the state of
illinois showed that the suggestions :
made by the greater number of farm
BIS owning radio sets favored news
If pending legislation, crop reports,
marketing, market re-
,orts and short talks on better
arming methods.
Aside from its purely business and
financial benefits, the real value of
he radio is to be found in its appeal =
O the desire on the part of the fam L
Iy living on. the farm to have the
anne facilities for wholesome enter Q
heretofore restricted to
hose who dwell in the cities.