SHALL I BE A FARMER? 31 



men. The first step in progress is for each farmer to use 

 machinery and animal power so that he can work more 

 land. This would allow a larger proportion of the popula- 

 tion to do other things. 



In the days of our forefathers, the entire family worked 

 on the farm. Little time was spent in going to school, in 

 reading, or in travel, yet the few farm tools were so crude 

 and the farming so poorly done that a family raised little 

 more than it consumed. Work as hard as they could, 

 the family was often threatened with famine. Nearly all 

 persons had to be farmers to live. In India and China we 

 have much the same condition to-day. One family raises 

 little more than it uses, hence a very large part of the popu- 

 lation are farmers. So long as this condition continues, 

 it is impossible for a high state of civilization to develop. 



When our fathers began to use machinery and better 

 farming methods, it became possible for one family to 

 produce enough to feed two families. This made it 

 possible for half of the population to do other kinds of 

 work. At the same time, the farmer became a purchaser 

 of articles that formerly were unheard-of luxuries. 



If civilization is to progress, this movement must con- 

 tinue. It allows men to engage in research and invention, 

 to write books and magazines, to manufacture and trans- 

 port the things that a higher civilization demands. Best 

 of all, it allows the youth of the land more years of school- 

 ing. All progress in civilization depends on having each 

 farmer produce more than his father produced. 



Iowa furnishes an excellent illustration of increased 

 efficiency of farmers. Farmers have learned to drive 

 three-, four-, and five-horse teams. This has resulted in a 

 decrease in rural population. Rather than a calamity, this 

 decrease in population is an evidence of a wonderful in- 



