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Show MUD AND THE FARMER. J A recent editorial in the "Bureau Farmer" says that the barrier of mud which five months out of the year separates five million farm families i from the markets where they sell ! their produce, and likewise buy their supplies, is of supreme importance in the agricultural economic situation. According to this authority, there are almost two and one-half million miles of unimproved dirt roads in the United States, and nearly five mill'on farmers live on them. Farmers in this country pay seven per cent of the highway tax, yet less than three per cent of them are situated on year-round year-round highways. Here is room for some "farm relief" activity which will actually relieve. The greatest present need, in the matter of highways, is improved farm-! farm-! to-market roads. These can be con- structed, with a durable water-proof I surface, at a low cost and without large maintenance expense. ! The five million farmers now living with a barrier of mud between them and their markets, are deserving immediate im-mediate consideration. Good roads will probably do more than anything else to advance agricultural progress and prosperity. |