394 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



It seems the phenomenal progress made by producing more, seem- 

 ingly at less cost, would result in giving large profits to the farmer, but 

 when we look at the balance sheet we find in the expense account not 

 so many laborers, but more per labor than by old-time methods, and to 

 the potential account by machinery and operating it results with small 

 profits to the farmer and an increased aggregate. 



As a rule, the class of labor employed on the farm is not as good as 

 formerly, and. in many places, the owner of the farm is almost obliged 

 to operate it. Therefore, many times you see crops needing more and bet- 

 ter cultivation, and unharvested when they should be, the farmer thereby 

 incurring great loss. 



As the labor question now confronts us most seriously in some parts 

 of the State, it seems to me that the farmer could profitably meet and 

 largely overcome this local (if such it is) labor trouble by growing more 

 wool. 



Legislation. — I would recommend that this Congress create a legisla- 

 tive committee, either authorizing the executive to act in that capacity or 

 by creating a special committee, whose duty shall be to look after, during 

 the session of the Legislature, all measures recommended by this Con- 

 gi-ess, as well as all measures that might afCect our interests, either di- 

 rectly or indirectljs and to further the ends of justice. 



Our road, criminal and convict labor laws might be revised, altered 

 or changed so as to be of greater utility to the public road. 



The condition of the public roads in the United States is probably 

 worse than in any other civilized country. This condition is due to the 

 undeveloped condition of the country, growing out of large landed estates 

 and sparse settlement of the rural districts. But our State is mainly out 

 of that condition, and the prevailing trouble that has been and is now 

 is the lack of knowledge on the part of many of the road officials as to 

 the primary principles of road construction, resulting in the injudicious 

 use of thousands of dollars annually of the public money. Our country 

 is now so .developed that all road work should be done with a view of 

 future improvement, and the law should take into account the qualifica- 

 tion of the road officials, that the public funds would be judiciously ex- 

 pended. 



The question of utilization of convict labor in road-making and mak- 

 ing road material is now favorably discussed, and the public sentiment is 

 largely favoring both propositions. 



And I suggest that a law be passed that the State should purchase 

 real estate and stone quarries at central points and suitable places where 

 stone, tile and brick could be made into road material, and purchase laud 

 for agricultural purposes, and erect woi'khouses and stockades thereon, 

 that all criminals convicted under the- law of the State, in the lower as 

 well as higher courts, shall work out fines and penalties at a per diem 

 to the amount imposed upon them. Instead of supporting them in idle- 



