10 d Sixteenth Annual Report. 



tion that deals directly with country life, devote every meeting 

 for the coming year to some phase of this great question. There 

 is so much good agriculture in the State that I am sure that a 

 year's program of this kind would give courage to every person in 

 the State and tend strongly to develop his patriotism. The dis- 

 cussion should be taken up by chambers of commerce and busi- 

 ness men's* organizations. There is no occasion for discourage- 

 ment. We must understand the situation, take means to remedv 

 the deficiencies, and then start on foot an active, progressive, re- 

 constructive movement. This can be done in New York State 

 just as well as it is done in Idaho, or California, or Oregon, or 

 Washington, and there is good and substantial financial basis 

 for it. 



It is time that the State wake up to the fundamental import- 

 ance of our great agricultural interests. We must deal with these 

 interests in a large and liberal spirit, and the people must accept 

 the advice of persons who see these questions in a broad way 

 rather than of those whose horizon is bounded by one farm or one 

 township. ISTo great business can be developed without putting 

 money into it; and the State of New York must put money into 

 its agriculture if it is to maintain its agricultural position. It is 

 simply a matter of good business investment. • 



The whole question of the utilization of our waste and unpro- 

 ductive lands and forests ought to be taken hold of immediately 

 with great vigor and not in any temporizing and half-hearted or 

 apologetic way. All water supplies of the State should be studied 

 with reference not only to the developing of large power and the 

 support of cities, but the .utilization of them in developing small 

 power and water facilities for farms, and also for providing water 

 for irrigation. It is certain that irrigation in humid regions must 

 in the future rank with other agricultural practices, to be used 

 when necessary in order to supplement the natural conditions. 

 Water will most certainly be needed for the irrigation of land that 

 is to be devoted to certain kinds of agriculture, and the water 

 supply should be looked to immediately with this end in view. I 

 do not mean that every farm is to be irrigated, or that any fancy 

 schemes of farming are to be projected, but we must recognize 

 that the more complete man's mastery over nature, the better is 



