LIVE STOCK BEEEDERS' ASSOCIATIOH- 329 



motto, and there has never been a time and may never be another so 

 favorable for developing American agriculture to its highest possible 

 estate. 



Agriculture can not be capitalized like mining or manufacture, and 



Its development must therefore depend upon organized public effort. This 



fact is now well recognized and the most immediate question to be deter- 



\mined now is, who shall l«ad in this business of the further development 



of American agriculture? 



Great movements do not rise spontaneously and conduct themselves 

 to successful conclusions. There must be leadership and rational direc- 

 tion, and the practical question before us all just now is the proper man- 

 agement of this wave of energy and spirit of progress in such a way that 

 it shall not spend itself without accomplishing its full and perfect work. 



Now, I know that in a case like this the tendency is to pray for a 

 Moses or a Joshua to lead us. But I do not believe it will ever be done 

 that way. 



Witla the present popular interest in agriculture, champions will not 

 be wanting. The larger question is. Who of all those interested in agri- 

 culture is best fitted to walk at the head of the procession and carry the 

 flag? Who shall assume the privileges and accept the duties of leader- 

 ship; and who by common consent shall be considered as directing this 

 great movement for better agriculture? Shall it be the agricultural press, 

 which is the exponent of agricultural thought? Shall it be the colleges 

 of agriculture, which instruct in advanced ideas? Shall it be the experi- 

 ment stations, which are the sources of new discoveries? Shall it be the 

 politicians, who make our laws? Or shall it be the farmers themselves, 

 who live by agriculture? Or shall it be individuals, institutions, or asso- 

 ciations? 



Let us see wlaose business it is to accept the responsibility of leader- 

 ship. 



We all know the power of the press in molding public sentiment, in 

 teaching -\\-holesome doctrines, in correcting or causing correction of evils 

 both public and private. Is there a more potent power than this to lead 

 in this great work? 



We are not unmindful of the great educational value of annual shows, 

 from the countj^ fair, bringing together the best of local productions, up 

 to the district and State fairs and to the great national and international 

 expositions. All are educators in the best and highest sense of the term 

 and bring togetlaer an illustrative collection that puts to shame our latest 

 individual effort, and the marvel always is, what will the next be like. 

 But there are other forces to be considered. 



W^e have at least one college in every State w^hose special business 

 it is to teach the best that has yet been discovered regarding agricultural 

 practice. Surely here is a force that must be Avell to 'the front and a 

 safe exponent of tlie highest standards. It is easy to see and maintain 



