Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1901 — THE CZAR AS A FARMER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CZAR AS A FARMER.

Besides being “Autocrat of all the Rnssias” and head of the Greek Orthodox faith, the czar has always evinced a desire to he the leader of his people in matters of industry. As president of the Trans-Siberian railroad he often presides at the meetings of its directors, and it is bis pride that with his own hands he drove the first spike in its construction, eight years ago, at Vladivostok. Under his rale Siberia has become the garden spot and hope of the Russian empire. American seed grain has been introduced, and Yankee methods of agriculture are taught by specialists who travel from district to district. Model farming villages have been built by royal command all through Siberia and money advanced to the new settlers, to whom every opportunity has been offered to become independent farmers. With 90 per cent of his 140,000,000 subjects depending on the soil, the Little Fhther at St. Petersburg naturally gives much of his time to the consideration of different plans for the amelioration of their condition. The Russian mu jilt, or peasant, is not progressive; moreover, he is hard-headed, prefers his primitive plow, which, without much exertion on his part.

may be made to scratch the soil; looks with, horror on innovations unknown to his fathers, and absolutely refuses to alter his methods, unless at express command of the czar. No Russian would disobey the White Father, any more than he would commit sacrilege, or show disrepect to the Ikon, or holy picture, which bang in the room of every. Russian, high or low. Evidently the czar relies on the force of example for carrying out his reforms. Everywhere on his appanages, or private lands —which embrace thousands of square miles in various parts of the empire—every known agricultural improvement has been introduced; further still, on these great plantations are, maintained numerous experimental agricultural stations. In Central Asia it is tobacco and cotton seed from America that are experi-mented-with, and the peasants are sent to learn the best methods of cultivating the new products. In the Trans-Caucasus, tea-growing has been successfully Introduced, and the peasants are being initiated by Chinamen into the art of preparing the leaves for the market. In the Caucasus

and the Crimea, the vineyards are being brought to perfection. Royalty has organized a temperance movement on a grand scale In the large cities, where free, open-air concerts are given, at which tea and soft drinks are served. Temperance restaurants have been established, aijd in summer great barges take the people out on river excursions. The temperance movement is growing, yet there are whole districts in Siberia that are deserted, simply because the bread made from the wheat growjf in the damp climate, ferments to such an extent that It causes a light f/>rm of intoxication. : J The czar spares neither 4ffort nor expense in placing object' lessons before

his simple folk. Immense barges, a thousand feet in length, on the open decks of which experimental farms are dperated, float down the great streams of Russia, stopping at every village. The peasants are Invited aboard, and there given practical lessons in modern farming, and in this way new methods and pl&nts are introduced. Children of the N.. peasants attend schools where, In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, they learn valuable lessons in practical agriculture. On Arbor Day they plant various kinds of trees, over which they are expected to watch, and in summer they assist In harvesting and in haymaking. —Alexander Hume Ford.

SCHOOLBOYS RECEIVING A LESSSON IN AGRICULTURE.

BRINGING IN THE HARVEST.

FARMING IN SOUTH RUSSIA.