No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 689 



He enters into close communion with Nature and natures God. 

 He breathes the pure air, sweetened by the gentle dews from Heaven, 

 uncontaminated by the sulphur, smoke and dirt of city and town. 



He believes in making the home attractive, the surroundings of 

 his home beautified with evergreens and flowers, which at this age 

 must be done to keep apace with the numerous attractions. and al- 

 lurements of the city. 



In short, make the home the dearest, the loveliest, the sweetest 

 and the most attractive spot on earth. He beholds the wholesome 

 effort of the dew, the rain and sunshine upon his labors with Mother 

 Earth and is in partnership, so to speak, and reigns over earth, sea 

 and sky. Man can cultivate and fondle the earth, but is brought to 

 a point of dependence and is led to willingly believe and acknowledge 

 that, "Paul may plant and Apollos may w'ater," but God and God 

 alone can give the increase. The man behind the plow feeds the 

 world. 



The farmer's trade is one of worth, for he is partner with the 

 sky and earth. He is partner with the sun and rain and he feeds, 

 yes, he feeds them all." 



"The writer thinks, the poet sing-s, thj ci-afcsman fashions wondrous things, 

 The doctor heals, the lawyer pleads, but the farmer feeds them all. 

 The merchant, he may buy and sell, the teacher do his duty well, 

 And men may toil through busy days, but the farmer feeds them all." 



For protection and advancement, "the man behind the plow" 

 needs organization, for organization is the motive power that rules 

 and guides the world. Organize for individual benefit through com 

 bined efi:ort. The world is prone to selfishness, and organization 

 breaks down designed influences and will bring prosperity and good 

 cheer to many farmer's homes. Organize that legislation may be 

 secured in favor of the tillers of the soil. 



And now, in conclusion, permit me to add that: 

 "In all the pomp and splendor of an army on parade, 

 And all through the awful darkness that the smoke of battle made. 

 In the halls where jewels glitter and where shouting men debate. 

 In the palaces Vvhere rulers deal out honors to the great. 

 There is not a single person who would be doing business now. 

 Or have any medals if it v/as not for 'the man behind the plow.' 

 "We are building mighty cities and we are gaining lofty heights. 

 We are winning lots of glory and we are setting things to right; 

 Why, we are showing all creation how the world's affairs should run. 

 Future men will gaze in wonder at the things that we have done, 

 But they will likely overlook the fellow, just the same as some do now. 

 Who, let me say, is the whole concern's foundation, and that is, 

 'The man behind the plow." 



COL. DEMMING: I thought the list of Consulting Specialists had 

 been filled, but I think there is room for another and that is the 

 Poet-Laureate of this Board. 



44—6—1903 



