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December 13, 1929 WILMETT~ LIFE Hindu Farmer Shackled by ·customs of Centuries (Continued from Page 35) I ~ "-~· ., Delma Caldwell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert \V. Caldwell of 930 Linden avenue, Wilmette, and a 1928 graduate of New Trier High school, has a leading role in the play "The School for Scandal," which is being presented by the Dramatic association of Oberlin college December 13 and 14 in Oberlin. aldwell is a sophomore at Oberlin this year and is very active in the dramatic association. This play is one Patience Ia Needed of the important productions of the Y ct, in spite of this anyone who year and is being anticipated with keen studies into the field and realizes the oleasure OIJ th e campus. meaning of the ovportunity must be optimistic. \\'hat we mu st have in The first meeting of the Kenilwo··th meeting the problem is patience and perseverance for farmers are naturally Reading class under the direction of conservative. Here in India we must 1f rs. Anth onv French Merrill met at the home of ·Mrs. George Benson. 210 accept the fa rmer as he is at present ~felro e avenue, Kenilworth Friday. and try to adopt the methods accordThis was the first of a series of reading to his re so urces. The property ings. prisiugly small. lf he has a pair oi draft animals valued at $20 and Implement s to the value of $15 he is fortunate. He hesitate s to buy an iron plow ior $2 because to him this is a large investment. Lnder such condJtjons the plan of introducing Western held by the ordinary cultivator is surmachinery is impossible for the present. \Vhat implements he needs must be simple and inexpensive. He hesitatr s to trv new methods because of the nearne ss to the stanation line. He has confidence that the old way will bring in some return but he fears to experiment with a new way. There is no surplus stored away and a poor crop means untold hardship. These conditions make the cultivator very cautious about taking up anything new and in the face of it progress is made slowly. such changes could not easily ·Je made. One must come to India at d try it out. Only then can you be Cl-!lVinced. Horse collars have been made and urged upon the ryot or farmer. Improved implements have been brought in but in most cases the result has heen the same. They prefer the old way to the new. The experiences of missionaries in this regard would in deed make a good joke book if all could be written down. One man was telling a farmer in Wisconsin how the Indian believes that the cow will not give her milk at milking time unless the calf is pre se nt. If the calf should die it is a common practice to. stuff th e hide with straw and set this before the mother. While pulling out some of this straw for food the cow apparently seems to be satisfied, and th e milking process goes on. "Well," he said, "when I told this to him he began to look at me in a half -quizzical, in credulous way. He had shown unusual interest befgre, but this was too much. After that he nev.e r believed a word I said." Many missionaries have tak e n up the task in a happy, ho~eful way and then given up in de!:>pair. The obstinacy which the ryot shows 111 clinging to the past is amazing. onstrations have been given. We have an organization in the Mission known as the Economic Improvement association. The Central committee is co~ posed of four men appointed by the Madura Church council and four by the Mission. During the last four years we have received no financial help from the American board but notwithstanding we have tried to 'make the best of the situation. There is no person giving ·full time to this work but it ·is carried on as one part of the district man's duties. It is always a real joy to see the response that comes from the people when they find we are interested in their daily life and problems. It is a bond that makes for friendship, confidence and better understa nding. (to be continued) Delma Caldwell in Cast of Oberlin Production THE FRIENDLY GIFT that jfyes and repeats your Christmas Greetangs ' ' ·· throughout the Year Hipp & Coburn Co. Jewelers and Silversmiths WRIGLEY BUIL~NG CHICAGO fUVNfAIN .SQVAR[.· LVANSTON. Comfys.rCosiest of Gifts In Flamce, Coral, Delft Blue, Red, Green or Black In Satin, Patent or Kidskin ' Teaching Gradual Process Demonstration plots arc used in which good seed is sown and approved methods used right ott the ryot's land. The plot is small and since there is no risk to his \rholc crvp he is willing to try this. In this way the circle of progressive farmers is ever widening out. Modern ways arc used only as they sec it defini~cly proven on some neighbor's fields. They will have faith that what one of their own members is doing is safe but seldom will any one accept the word of a stranger. They fear the government det)artment because of the age-long distrust of any official class. This is unfortunate because th_ e government Agricultural department is doing excellent work. Our policy of work is to C?operate with government bureau 111 every way possible. Nine hundred fiftv ministers and teachers have the confidence of the villagers and through them we seek to spread the work. They live at the very center, namely in the out-of-the-:-way, conservative village. It is on these men we must depend to spread tlie l!lessage if only they will catch the tdeal. In Teachers' Institutes, at Pastorate conferences in the large gatherings in September, exhibits, lecture1and dem- "DANIEL GREENS," the most thoughtful way of all to say "Merry Christmas." Charming, feminine gifts that Select kidskin. satin anyone can give to a woman. or patent ones to match her negligee or tea gown .. ·· quilted Comfys for her bathrobe. · She can never have too many pairs. to LORD'S-MAIN FLOOR