Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-14
Helping the Farmer

Too many people are in the business of helping"
the farmer. Is the contention Of 7. c. Richardson, field
editor Of Farm and Ranch. recognized as one of the
foremost farm authorities in the state.
Second only 60 baseball, helping the farmer is the
great American SPORT Richardson asserts in an article
~ the current issue Of Farm aud Ranch. Maybe II
takes first place, for II is a year-round game, while
baseball and football together do not fill tho twelve
months. It's devotees range all the way from the coun-
Try schoolhouse, where the farmer and his family in
dulge ~ more Or less ~self-help, 10 the national capitol.
where the two major parties match farm relief plat
forms with each other. IN between ee find farm or
CARNATIONS * various hues-chambers OF commerce
and luncheon clubs in the towns and cities; private
corporations in numerous lines which maintain agri-
cultural departments; agricultural colleges with their
teaching. research and extension activities; and finally,
the United States Department Of Agriculture with d.
visions and bureaus too numerous to mention. Even
the Department Of the Interior has "A hand in farm az
fairs. II has been stated on good authority that for
every 1,4oO farmers there is q government employee Ii
agricultural service"
1t must be admitted that this medley Of services,
srstuitously offered, is rather confusing to the farm
ers, and it must be further admitted that many of
these services are unnecessary and misdirscted. But
the business Of making the farmers business the ma
tions business has not been wholly unproductive IF
good results.
Farming is not the only business or industry which
has a vast horde Of "rooters" standing on the side
lines endeavoring to direct the game. Newspapers
also are the recipients of similar gratuitous service and
advice, as every publisher or editor will attest; and.
In fact, there is no line Of human endcavor which is
rot under an almost constant, barrsge of criticism or
advice. IL is always the outsider who is afflicted
with the belief that he knows best how a business or
industry should he conducted, and IL is only a human
characteristic 70 take note 81 what others are doing
and 70 offer criticisms, suggestions or opinions.
The past decade has been marked By radical i'm
provement in agricultural methods. better home and
housing conditions. tightening Of farm labor. extension
or rural schools. establishment n facilities which in
many sections cual those or the cities. In fact. in many
OF tie rural communities conditions have been COM
Pletely Transformed. This Transformation has net been
The result of unaidcd effort On the part Of the farm
ers. II has been the result ~ closer cooperation be-
tween the urban and rural sections. the broader ideas
of the rising generation, educational advancement and
tho efforts of rural communities 70 gain that broader
lie which heretofore has been denied them.
Advance IN practically every branch Of American
life and industry IS due 70 the cooperative spirit. the
interest the American people are taking in the affairs
Of each other. Much ~ this interest may be construed
rs unnecessary or misplaced. but there can he no doub:
that the intent is one Of helpfulness.