ANNUAL MEETING. ' 51 



afforded for more than a decade to make the world admit what we al- 

 ready admit ourselves, namelj', that we raise a little better cattle, hogs 

 and sheep in Indiana than gi-ow elsewhere on the earth's surface. We 

 were notably successful in this particular at Chicago in 1893, and by 

 concerted effort, originating in these meetings, we may achieve still 

 greater distinction at St. Louis in 1904. 



Again I congratulate j'ou, gentlemen of the convention, on the au- 

 spicious circumstances around which you gather, and again I assure you 

 that the service you are rendering one of the great interests of this com- 

 monwealth is appreciated by the people of Indiana. In closing permit 

 me to express the hope that your sessions may be attended by both 

 pleasure and profit and that you may go away from here better prepared 

 thereby to advance the standards of Indiana agriculture. 



On motion, the meeting adjonrned until 1 :30 p. m. 



Afternoon Session. 



The State Board of Agriculture was called to order at 1:30 

 o'clock in order to hear some addresses omitted at the morning 

 session. ■ 



Professor IT. E. Van Norman, of Purdue University, made the 

 following address: 



At one time it was only necessary to scatter seed on the land in the 

 most careless way in order to secure a fair crop. 



Nature was not only generous, but prodigal with her gifts. We have 

 imposed on this generosity, until now many farms will produce only fifty 

 to seventy-five per cent, of the crop which could formerly have been 

 reasonably expected. 



This is not surprising when we remember to what extent wheat has 

 followed wheat and corn after corn, and when we realize that $100 worth 

 of roughness at the usual market prices takes from the soil as much 

 plant food as is commonly secured when we buy from $G.5 to $95 worth 

 of commercial fertilizer. That it takes from $30 to $(30 worth of fertilizer 

 to replace the plant food in $100 worth of grain crops. 



Not only has the soil become less productive as a result of our meth- 

 ods of farming, but we must contend with severer droughts, insect pests 

 and plant diseases. Our live stock is pestered with flies, and suffers 

 with diseases which our ancestors knew nothing of. Hog cholera, 

 anthrax, foot and mouth disease, tuberculosis and many others may be 

 cited. Our orchards suffer from the attacks of curculio, San Jose scale, 

 blight, etc., to such an extent that the modern orchardist must do some- 

 thing more than plant his trees and pick his crop. 



