588 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



But there is more than money in the career of the trained agri- 

 culturist. There is, or should be, much pleasure in it. I can not con- 

 ceive of a more pleasant vocation, for instance, than that of the plant 

 breeder. He turns sour and bitter fruits into svpeet; he makes hard 

 fruits soft; he changes the natural green of the wild fruit to crimson and 

 gold; he makes two plants grow in the field where one grew before; he 

 takes the thorns from the rose and the berry bushes; he doubles the 

 pink, increases the fragrance of the violet, and adds color to the daffodil. 

 Moreover, he is a true benefactor, for with his magic he brings forth new 

 types and new varieties and gives to the laborer of these days comforts 

 which a king could not have purchased a century ago. The men who 

 make silks and paint pictures put their wares in the palaces and cathe- 

 drals. Few there be that see them. The man who creates new fruits 

 and flowers, calls to the weary throng, "Whosoever will may come," to 

 be refreshed and cheered. 



Then, too, there is much for the moral life in agriculture. More than 

 in any other industry a man puts his mind and soul into his handiwork. 

 and materializes them into plants and fruits and flowers. Growing things 

 give a charm to the home and keep a man there. They fill one with glad- 

 ness and there is small place in the wholesome life of the farmer for the 

 devil to hatch his evil brood of anarchy, thievery, jobbery and meanness. 

 The Almighty made the first man perfect, and set him to tend the gar- 

 den. After Adam had consorted with Eve and the serpent, and had 

 sinned and fallen, he quit our profession and turned builder. Growing 

 plants bring us in touch with goodness and beauty and set our thoughts 

 in accord with true and noble things. 



In closing, I want to say .iust a word in regard to our agricultural 

 colleges. I shall not say much or go into details, for I realize that for 

 most of you, college days are past. Neither do I want to seem to dis- 

 parage other means of agricultural training by dwelling on college courses. 

 I only want to say that our agricultural colleges stand for the improve- 

 ment of agi'iculture, and the making of men through education. The 

 Michigan Agricultural College, and your own institution, I am sure, name 

 ' with pride trained agriculturists who have attained distinction in the 

 State or Nation. Out of the right stuff the agricultural colleges can 

 make the best of agriculturists. They can make men, too. Manhood first, 

 livelihood second. 



(Applause.) 



Prof. Latta: We are now ready for any questions that you may wish 

 to ask. 



Mrs. Meredith: I would like to say a word in regard to how special 

 training touches so many phases of life in town. A young man in Chi- 

 cago who has charge of the boys sent from the Works — they are taken 

 away from their home— is helping them in their work, and is having 



