INTRODUCTION. ^xix 



as such while agriculture was looked down upon as a mere 

 art, are now proud to make their contributions to the science 

 of agriculture. As a mere art, agriculture was exhaustive of 

 her own resources ; as an applied science, she builds up her 

 waste places, and while yielding annual profits, constantly 

 increases her producing capacity. The suspension of agricul- 

 tural production for a single year would stop the wheels of 

 factories, suspend every branch of business, and depopulate 

 the earth by famine." 



Assuming, then, as it is abundantly prudent to do, that 

 agriculture is the primary source of the production of wealth, 

 and that upon which other industries in our State depend for 

 their very existence, it becomes our people to consider what 

 can be done by individuals to increase the productive power 

 of our agriculture ; what may be done by organization which 

 cannot be performed by individuals, and what can and should 

 be done by the State, or in other words by the political or- 

 ganization of citizens, which is not done by either of the first 

 named agencies. 



It is the duty of individuals engaged in* agriculture to 

 employ knowledge and skill in their business, to carry on a 

 profitable and successful agriculture rather than a wasteful 

 system, and to employ the aid of science to such an extent 

 that the method of farming pursued may be a restorative 

 rather than an exhaustive one, and by culture and cropping 

 even, bringing the soil into a more productive condition. 

 The farmer must read, study, think, keep abreast with the 

 progress of science in his calling, use knowledge and educa- 

 tion, and avail himself of the teachings of science, and of the 

 practice of the most successful and wisest agriculturists of the 

 times. 



Organizations of fiirmers may do much for agricultural 

 development and progress that cannot be carried forward by 

 individual eflfort alone ; co-operation and association bring 

 results for good when employed in a good cause. Agricul- 

 tural societies, the Board of Agriculture, farmers' clubs and 



