Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1904 — Modern Farm Life. [ARTICLE]

Modern Farm Life.

In the course of a speech before the farmers of Whitman county, Washington, Gov. Henry Mcßride said: “Farm life is not wlmt it' was twenty-five years ago. Yon have more of the comforts and conveniences of life. You are not so isolated. The building of railroads, the extension of the telegraph ifNd telephone systems, tlie construetioij) of highways, and increased mail facilities have brought the farmer in closer touch with the world at large. The farmer of today, especially in localities coveted by the free rural delivery system, receiving as ho does his daily mail, is as well posted and can feel the great throbbing pulse of humanity as well as the dweller in tho city. “This is in utter contrast with the loneliness pervading tho farm life in former years—a loneliness that tempted many a boy and girl cityward when, in many instances, it would have been much better for them had they remained in old homes. With the rapid advancement along material lines —with better schools —with greater opportunities for social intercourse —with the opening up of all the avenues of information, thus bringing it in closer touch with the great outside world, farm life has become more attractive, and there is no longer danger of the urban population increasing nt the Expense of tbe rural. And this is well; for an intelligent, contented, sturdy self-reliant class devoted to agricultural pursuits is one of the chief bulwarks of any state or nation.”