The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-11-09

state were grouped according to their
productive capacity on a statewide
basis and in addition they were CLASH
fled and evaluated on the basis of their
adaptability to the production of GER
tain types of crops. In other words,
it is now possible to take any soil type
in the state of Maryland and deter
mine the kind of crop that this soil
might be used for and also find its
value for this purpose in relation to
other soils of the state. Incidentally,
Garrett county holds a rather unique
position in this respect. Slightly more
than "a per cent Of your farm land
falls within the upper four groups
of agricultural soils rated on a state
basis. To be sure, your climate does
not permit the production of GER
tain crops that might be grown in
other parts of the state, but never
theless there is a sufficient list avail
able to you to make the county second
to none as place in which to carry
on farming business.
Tenancy
1t is difficult to consider the land
utilization question without making
note of the trends in tenancy. Prob
lens of tenancy in this county are not
as serious as they are in many others
of the state. More than 81 per cent
of all the farm lands in the state
of Maryland are operated by absentee
land lords, that is, farmed by tenants.
In your county only 1917 per cent of
the farms are operated by persons
other than the owner of the land. In
one county on the Eastern Shore more
than 60 per cent of the land is being
farmed by individuals who have no
interest in it except that which they
can get out of it during the interim
of their lease. l doubt whether there
is a single forward looking citizen in
the state or a reputable rural econo-
mist or socialist who would consider
an increase in tenancy as desirable
trend in our rural development.
The evils of tenancy are conferred
chiefly in the abuse of land, both with
respect to its preservation and it's i'm
mediate use. Unpreserved land places
an unjustifable debt on future gener-
ations. Improperly used land is TAX
ing an unfair advantage of people now
living. Both of them are undesirable
from the standpoint of the develop
ment of any state or region and soon
err or later it will be necessary for
the people at large to concern them
selves with it.
The Human Problem
The human problem is probably the
greatest of our rural problems. In
touching upon this problem, am of
the opinion that it concerns the boys
and girls who are now in high schools
more than it does the adults of the
community. A few qualities should
be developed during school days.
The first of these is self discipline.
One of the finest characteristics of
youth is the refusal to admit the eX-
istence of limitations. But one of the
very necessary and perhaps the most
measuring accurately and early in life
your mental capacity. To proceed in
a state of mental illusion can result
only in haunting failures and regrets
for misguided efforts. To find and
evaluate personal capabilities proper
ly is the first important step in the
education process. To discipline and
develop the talents which we have be-
comes the purpose of subsequent eff
fort.
The second factor is that of courage
1t requires great courage to keep faith
and confidence in yourself, that is,
play fair with yourself, after you
have discarded all the deception, the
false show and the hooking pretense
which so easily becomes a part of
our moral and creative structure. Who
has not been impressed with the sim
plicity, the frankness and the gener-
osity of the truly great personality,
and yet the development of such
character may require years of con-
scious effort combined with the utmost
struggles in self discipline.