OCR Text |
Show I RURAL POPULATION Preliminary figures of the United States cenSFJS of various cities counties and states. gie fair reason to c onclude there is a larger percentage of population in the cities and towns than in the rural districts Ten years ago the urban population was slightly lower than the rural. Constant tendency of young people to turn from the farming districts toward the cities is declared to be accountable m large measure for tins. Also immigrants are settling largely in the cities. This situation is one that should command the most careful study of economists and go eminent officials. There is need to retain population popu-lation at the point of primary production. To a large extent, that is on the farms. Without rural population being held to a proper ratio with urban population, there will arise difficulties over production pro-duction and distribution of the necessaries of life. Part of this situation can be solved through reclamation of arid Western lands. Irrigated farms have proved an attraction for men and women of eastern cities as well as the best among the influx of immigrants from the old world The reclaimed areas have pro. en 50 productive as to attract for our own people "who wish lucrative occupation "in the open." Reclamation work has lagged to some extent in recent years. It is now bring given greater attention by districts, states and the nation. Such activity should be encouraged by those in position to promote a greater production, as well as to so hold Ihe margin of population as to place the excess on the side of the farming districts rather than in the cities and towns |