244 THE GREEN RISING 



These are wise words that deserve wide acceptation. 



In so far as the existing status of agriculture is 

 dependent upon governmental action, it is probable 

 that some time will elapse before concrete results 

 are obtained. The method of trial and error prob- 

 ably will be the only one that can be applied. As 

 time goes on mistaken policies can be eliminated 

 and profitable ones strengthened and reinforced. 



The principles, as follows, outlined in the Rural 

 Report of the Liberal Land Committee (1923-25) of 

 Great Britain may well be our guide as we attempt 

 to apply remedies to existing conditions : 



1. "Modern States in general have found it ad- 

 visable and possible to safeguard agriculture. 



2. "A practical rural policy must be one which, 

 while dealing with known economic facts, al- 

 lows for human nature; which does not dis- 

 courage personal enterprise or interfere with 

 industrial judgment and skill. 



3. "As rural ills are generally deep seated, no 

 national policy for rural life can succeed if it 

 evades fundamental questions and hesitates to 

 attack root causes." 



These principles should guide in the formulation 

 of a national program for agriculture. There is 

 imperative need for a comprehensive agricultural 

 policy for the nation. It is quite obvious that legis- 

 lation, hastily conceived and resulting from political 

 pressure, is usually inadequate. The entire nation 



