ADDRESS OF WELCOME. I9 



have done. The exhibits at the agricultural fairs held all 

 over the State of Connecticut show today that the farmers 

 are a progressive people, and not only progressive, but, like 

 the mechanic and inventor, they have worked out ideas, 

 studied them up and applied them, until today old line farm- 

 ing has almost passed away and business farming taken its 

 place. Today the prosperity of the farmer is known, not only 

 in the financial world but everywhere. He will soon stand 

 at the head. It is only a question of a few short years when 

 the farmers of this country will be the leaders in our country's 

 wealth. Just look around, all over the State of Connecticut, 

 in the farming districts, and what do you see? Not only in 

 Connecticut, but all over this broad country of ours the 

 farmer today shows prosperity everywhere. Beautiful homes, 

 magnificent barns and stock-houses, well-fed stock on every 

 hillside, beautiful poultry running everywhere, and the thrifty 

 farmer with his many assistants at work in the fields is a 

 sight worth witnessing indeed. But, my friends, I am not 

 here to discuss the subject of farming and agriculture. The 

 eminent men that appear on your programme will, I have n,o 

 doubt, deal with that subject to the satisfaction and instruc- 

 tion of our people, not only the farmers, but their efforts 

 will be a school of instruction for the citizens of Willimantic. 

 I hope and trust that when this convention adjourns and you 

 leave for your happy homes that you will leave feeling that 

 the people of our city have received useful and instructive 

 knowledge as well as yourselves .on the subject of farming. 



Now let me say to you again before closing that as the 

 representative of the people of this city I welcome 3^ou. and 

 not only welcome you, but in their behalf I extend to you the 

 freedom of this city. It is yours. Do with it as you please. 

 Visit our places of industry, visit our places of business, and 

 when you leave our city, let us hope that the favorable impres- 

 sion that you have formed will be as lasting as the love and 



