(5) The sentimental side. A campaign for rural progress, with New England as the unit, ought to arouse the pride and enthusiasm of all the sons and daughters of New England who still have the privilege of living within her borders, as well as the interest and sympathy of all her grandsons who, though living under western skies, still cherish in their hearts the deepest affection for their Fatherland. Shall not the idea of uniting all the forces of agricultural betterment that exist in New England be a stimulus to every farmer in the six states, and, indeed, attract the sympathy and practical aid of every lover of New England soil? Adaptation, co-operation: these are the primary needs of New England agriculture; an adaptation of the farmer and his farm to existing conditions, a co-operation that unites individual farmers into various associated efforts, that federates the work and influence of the different social agencies within the state, and that ultimately secures the unity of all New England in a great movement for rural advancement. =================================================================== | New England | Michigan | Iowa ------------------------------------------------------------------- Total land area-- | | | square miles | 62,000 | 57,500 | 55,500 Number of farms | 192,000 | 203,000 | 229,000 Acreage in farms | 20,500,000 | 17,500,000 | 34,600,000 Acres of improved | | | land | 8,135,000 | 11,800,000 | 29,900,000 Value of farms | $640,000,000 | $690,000,000 | $1,835,000,000 Value of farm | | | products | $170,000,000 | $147,000,000 | $365,000,000 Persons engaged in | | | agriculture | 290,000 | 312,000 | 372,000 Rural population | 1,500,000 | 1,200,000 | 1,260,000 Value of products per| | | acre of improved | | | land | $20 | $12 | $12 Number of Granges | 1,200 | 725 | Number of Grange | | | members | 120,000 | 45,000 | ------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER XVI AN UNTILLED FIELD IN AMERICAN EDUCATION