m> IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



"HOW TO INTEREST BOYS AND GIRLS ON THE FARM." 



By Mrs. J. A. GrLi.iCKSO.\. 



(Before Worth County Farmers" Institute.) 



In connection with farm life there is no more vital problem than that 

 relating to the best means of promoting the welfare of the young folks on 

 the farm. This should be a matter of much concern to every rural in- 

 habitant and Indeed to every inhabitant of our land v>ho values the future 

 of the rural population which really means the future of the nation. Hov,- 

 to make farm life attractive to the young folks and thereby induce them to 

 remain on the farm is a problem that occupies the minds of thinking men 

 at present. If this is to be acccmplished, much relating to farm life must 

 undergo a decided change as under present conditions the rural communi- 

 ties are constantly losing a large per cent of their best young men and wo- 

 men. The young people of today it seems to me are a much more favored 

 lot than those of even a score years back. Their conditions are I think 

 easier as well as pleasanter, and their social and educational advantages 

 are far better. I think if the young peop!e of pioneer days could have 

 looked in upon the scenes and conditions existing in our farm homes and 

 their surroundings today, they would have pronounced them all that could 

 be desired, so great is the change that has taken ])lace since then. Yet, I 

 believe I am right when I say there is more discontent amongst the young 

 people of the rural population now than there ever was in the history of 

 the nation. Our country is not the only one in which these conditions ex- 

 ist. There seems to be a condition of social unrest throughout the entire 

 civilized world. I think that one thing our young people v.ould profit 

 by being taught is to appreciate the. blessings at hand; to be taught to be 

 content with and grateful for the improvements already made and at the 

 same time strive for further improvement. 



For a number of years thousands of the best families in rural communi- 

 ties have deserted the farms and flocked into tov.ns and cities until at 

 present from 60 to 65 per cent of the entire population is centered in cities 

 and towns. It is estimated that unless these city tendencies are stopped 

 and conditions reversed this nation will have ceased to export food stuffs 

 inside 20 years. It is a very alarming state of affairs and one that is just 

 as detrimental to the towns and cities as it is to the country. Every one 

 knows the cause. In a great many instances the reason for leaving the 

 old farm home has been a desire for better educational facilities for the 

 young. This is not strange considering the great difference in the educa- 

 tional facilities in the country and in the cities. And just as long as the 

 educational system of the country continues inferior to that of the city 

 fco long wiil this stream of humanity v/hich, as a rule, is the cream of the 

 rural population, continue to pour into these centers. To be sure our rural 

 schools have been greatly improved but the work that has been done so 

 far is simply mending up and improving the system first established. 



