No. 6. DEPARTMENT OI'^ AGRICULTURE. 306 



Kentucky log cabin, of parents wlio could hardly read or write, his 

 own education consisting of one year's schooling, reading no other 

 book thaji the Bible — the book of great sorrows and great hopes — 

 compelled to hire out a« a hand on a flat-boat, and later, with axe and 

 arm felling the immemorial trees for rails to inclose his father's farm, 

 the future President was indeed a child of nature. But, like a new- 

 born Moses in the solitude of the wilderness, he overcame all these 

 obstacles. How, say you? By luck? No sir, never! No luck 

 there! It was all strenuous effort and honest, unremitting toil — 

 such as always tell. As a Spanish author says, ''his work stands as 

 a sublime achievement over which humanity shall eternally shed its 

 tears and God his benediction!" 



Thus I might continue to enumerate the name® of great men and 

 great women in every calling of life, throughout every age, who in 

 their youth possessed no greater advantages than you or I, the only 

 difference being their superior will power and ceaseless efforts which 

 made them famous. 



For brevity's sake, suffice it to say, that what is true among great 

 men and great women is equally true among the common people. 

 To meet with success the merchant must emi)loy as much effort as 

 the statesman; the blacksmith as much as the warrior; the farmer as 

 much as the author. 



"All are architects of fate, 



Working in these walls of time; 

 Some with massive deeds and great, 



Some with ornaments of rhyme. 



"Nothing useless is, or low; 



Each thing in its place is best; 

 And what seems but idle show, 



Strengthens and supports the rest." 



Fellow Farmers: In the days of financial distress, among many of 

 your class, it becomes particularly imperative that you should em- 

 ploy every honest effort to successfully meet life's battle. 



"In the world's broad field of battle. 



In the bivouac of Life; 

 Be not like dumb, driven cattle! 



Be a hero in the strife!" 



In the present age we need more heroes on the farm. More men 

 of Lincoln's type. While we hear of heroes on the field of battle, 

 and love and cherish their memories with fond devotion, and see to it 

 that the name of each returning hero is hung out to shine in the 

 bright galaxy of national glory, yea, and even help to rear monu- 

 ments to proclaim the immortality of their noble deeds, we so seldom 

 long for a share of the glory that comes to the hero. "Ah," you tell 

 20—6—1901 



