96 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



familiar with its work, and report to the farmers of his locality the 

 result of his investigation ; and if it be found that the present 

 managers are not fitted for the place, or are recreant to duty, the 

 farmers have it in their power to right the wrong, and make it in 

 reality what it is in name, the Farmers' School. They must 

 insist that this school shall be well sustained, and that its studies 

 shall be such as will fit its students for industrial pursuits and 

 dignify labor, and in no way can this be brought about but by 

 persistent co-operation among farmers. 



There should be a co-operative effort among farmers to induce 

 other industries to locate in their midst, at least to an extent 

 sufficient to supply home consumption ; for the nearer one can 

 bring a market to his own door, for the products of his farm, the 

 better he will be paid for tilling the soil. We have in Maine co- 

 operative dairying ; and the result has been not only an advantage 

 to the individual but to the State, for any productive industry 

 benefits not only those directly interested, but indirectly the whole 

 community in which it is located. 



The farmers want to co-operate to get out of the old ruts in 

 buying and selling ; but in getting out of the old ruts and leaving 

 the snares of the speculator, they want to see to it that they do 

 not get into the quicksands of the capitalists, and thus find their 

 last state worse than the first. 



Labor and , capital should go hand in hand, each is dependant 

 upon the other, and for the good of the community there should 

 be no strife 'between them; but selfishness in the advocates of 

 each, too often taking a narrow view, become jealous of each 

 other and stir up strife between them, and it is generally the case, 

 when the two come into a contest alone, that capital wins, and 

 when capital has gained absolute power in any "place it reduces 

 the price of labor to the lowest living point. Here comes in 

 credit as a competitor with capital, ar)d in a government lik$ ours, 

 •where the people are king, with credit and labor on one side, and 

 capital on the other, there need be no fear if credit and labor co- 

 operate ; but when capital sees credit and labor co-operating it 

 becomes jealous, and strives to throw in questions that will stir 

 up discord and dissolve co-operation. Thus we see the Patrons 

 of Husbandry, a co-operative body calculated to elevate the farmer 

 socially, morally, intellectually and financially, as no organization 

 ever has since the world began, met by capital, who trembles for 

 fear the rates of interest may be reduced, and plays the part of 



