FARM MANAGEMENT 161 



question is limited in its effect, yet any single farmer may help this 

 movement in two ways: First, by using his influence for better 

 road legislation within his township and county; and, second, by 

 using his influence together with that of his neighbors in impressing 

 upon the members of the State Legislature from his district the ur- 

 gent need for further State aid in cases where such aid is not already 

 sufficient. 



The influence that even one farmer can exert was well shown 

 in the mass meeting of the farmers of Madison County, Tennessee, 

 which was held following the winter of great mud in that district, 

 1902-3. When it came, the burden could no longer be borne the 

 roads were impassable; it required two strong mules to draw a milk 

 wagon with two milk cans, and all day was consumed in going a 

 few miles. For more than six weeks this condition prevailed. No 

 one attempted to pass over these mud roads except in case of dire 

 necessity. The farmer was locked in and all trade was stopped. 

 The opportune moment had arrived ; a mass meeting of all the citi- 

 zens of the county was called, and those who could get to it came. 

 All wanted good roads, the only difference of opinion being as to 

 the best means for procuring them, and after a long discussion which 

 seemed likely to prove disastrous, some contending for a direct tax 

 and a few roads each year, and others wanting to issue bonds, a 

 farmer arose and addressed the meeting as follows: 



Mr. Chairman, I am just a plain farmer and have no business 

 trying to talk in this meeting. I am all covered with mud; there is 

 mud on my boots and all over my clothes, and my hat is all spat- 

 tered up, too. I walked to this meeting because my horse couldn't 

 travel the roads. I've got a little farm and sawmill out on the 

 Poplar Corner road, just a little over 2 miles from town, and if I 

 could climb up on a hard road with my truck and what lumber I've 

 sawed I could clear enough in one day to pay my tax on that road ; 

 but I haven't got it. 



I bought some groceries from you (turning to a merchant) this 

 month ; yes, $5 worth, for I carried them out on my back ; but if I 

 had a good road, it would have been $25, I am sure. 



This plain statement brought the question home, a hearty laugh 

 went round, and a motion prevailed, without opposition, to instruct 

 the representative in the State legislature to draft a bill authorizing 

 the county court to issue bonds in the sum of $300,000, bearing 4 

 per cent interest, and extending over a period of thirty years. 



The bill immediately became a law. It provided that the first 

 $150,000 should be used in the construction of roads within a radius 

 of 5 miles from the corporate limits of the city of Jackson, and the 

 second $150,000 in the construction of roads within a radius of 10 

 miles from the corporate limits. (Ag. Dept. Y. B. 1910.) 



The farmer may use his influence toward the appointment of a 

 competent county engineer. 



Work, whether of brain or muscle, has its market price as well 

 as wheat or corn, and is not to be had for less. An engineer, if com- 

 petent to supervise a county's roads, will demand a good salary. A 



