THE MODERN FARMER.

Waipa Post, Volume XVII, Issue 963, 3 July 1920, Page 2

THE MODERN FARMER.

AMERICAN OPINION. Much has evolved in recent years to cause the general public to revise its conception of the farmer (says an American exchange). Since he began riding into town in a motorcar to deposit profits in a bank the business world has placed him on a new basis as an industrial factor. Since he installed a bath tub, electric lights, telephone and other modern conveniences folks from the city have gone, to visit him and enjoy farm fare that would cost much more if indulged in in a city restaurant. His motorisation, illumination, sanitation,' and association have broadened his mind and increased his efficiency. He is making his occupation a business instead of the strongarm and back-plodding drudgery it formerly was. He is proving an apt pupil in adaptation of information and other means available for improving the character of his profession, as it now is regarded, the quality of his products, and increasing the proportion of profit. His progress in this respect is even disquieting to those who seek political preferment. They cannot place him. He does not respond to the lure of free seeds and free publications that cost the candidate nothing. From being the easiest to place element in the voting citizenship 'he has changed to the most uncertain. The producers of grain and other food essentials have learned much in the time of Government control of prices. At present they appear to be preparing by organisation to do the price-fix-ing themselves, and even surpass a friendly administration in the margin set between cost of production and that to be paid by eastern farmers, who do not produce their own bread substances, and by the large general public that constitute the only unorganised portion of the populace.