348 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



Our boys who go from the farm to the city expect to work. 



Could we once convince them that the same amount of labor, 

 if given in the country, would buy them a home in the country, 

 then we shall have more than half accomplished our object of 

 keeping them on the farm. 



Once convince them that their labor is remunerative; teach 

 them to do their work in a scientific manner, so that it will be 

 remunerative, and farm life is so pleasant and so independent 

 that it will soon become more enticing than any other form of 

 labor. 



George Washington, after all the many incidents of a long 

 and interesting career, retired to his estate and was happy in his 

 old age in superintending his own farm. 



Agriculture has always been an alluring subject since the days 

 of Abraham, the Patriarch of the Bible. 



Never in the annals of our history has there been such an 

 opening for farming life as the present — such wonderful im- 

 provement in methods; so many nice machines to do our labor; 

 such splendid opportunities for learning— all this and much 

 more at our agricultural colleges. 



Our papers brought to our door by the " Rural Mail Delivery ' : 

 makes " Old Busticus " another being. 



In fact, as we look around upon this pleasant assemblage of 

 young farmers and note how many here assembled have grown 

 up in our own community (young men whom I can remember as 

 boys), we are inclined to say: The boy does not leave the farm. 

 He is here in force to-night striving to learn the best way to do 

 his work. Willing to learn, willing to improve, may our insti- 

 tute be a help to him. 



As farming has progressed so rapidly during the past decade 

 and farming tools are so much improved, may we not hope that 

 the work of " tilling the soil " will soon be recognized as one of 

 the most honorable, as we all know it is the most needful of 

 our industries. 



And our boys can stay on the farm in honor, comfort and 

 prosperity. 



