The Rural Voice, 1988-09, Page 107T
VOICE FROM THE PAST
Part Five
It's often been said: "The more thing's change, the
more they stay the same." But farm life has certainly
undergone dramatic and irreversible changes. Writer
Wayne Kelly provides evidence for both views: one, the changes in farming and rural
life have been so thorough that the past seems quaint; two, "modern" problems
really aren't so modern after all. Either way, the "voices from the past" haven't lost
their relevance. PHOTO: "Quiet time by the Hearth" — by R. R. Sa'lows, 1915
by Wayne Kelly
he proponents of the home
computer touted its arrival as
a revolution greater than that
started by Gutenberg's printing press
in the fifteenth century. I don't agree.
Both are a medium to the same end.
The transmission of words, be they
ink on wood pulp or LEDs on cathode
tube, represent the same thing: the
dissemination of verbal pictures from
one individual to another.
William Weld, editor of The Farm-
er's Advocate, recognized common
men who stood up and offered them-
selves in the service of others — men
who wanted to communicate. They
did not have to be profound. In many
cases they were not brilliant. They
were ordinary farmers who had a
desire to share.
The following article from Feb-
ruary of 1888 recognizes such a man.
From The Farmer's Advocate,
February, 1888:
In the accompanying illustration
we present to our readers Mr. A. McD.
Allen of Goderich, Ontario, president
of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion. For the engraving we are indebt-
ed to Mr. L. Woolverton of Grimsby,
editor of the Canadian Horticulturist
and secretary of the above association.
Mr. Allan has been one of the
chief contributors of the Advocate on
horticultural subjects, and is already
well known to our readers as the ablest
authority on many branches of
horticulture. In early life he pursued
agriculture in the county of Perth,
township of North Easthope, the old
homestead having consisted of 230
A FARMER'S ADVOCATE
MR A. McD. ALLAN
of Goderich, Ontario
30 'THE RURAL VOICE