320 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Machinery is rapidly taking the place of men on the farm as well 

 as in the factory. However, farm products will be in demand only 

 according to the physical needs of the people while the increasing de- 

 mand for the products of the factory is limited only by the fancy and 

 the purse of the people. Therefore, there is, and will continue to be 

 a continual increase in the population of cities and, within certain 

 limits, a corresponding depletion of rural districts. The farmer boys 

 may not form a large, but they will form a very important part of this 

 increase. Those who have given the subject long and careful study, 

 tell us that the city would actually degenerate and die within a com- 

 paratively short time if it were not for the fact that it is constantly 

 being recruited- with strong and vigorous life from the country. 



Not only for this but also for other reasons there is a demand for 

 the farmer boy in the city. Though he were able to get along with- 

 out the city, yet the city could not so well get along without him. 

 The farmer boy is eminently fitted to adapt himself to city life. His 

 ''greeness" vanishes in a few days and he is then able not only to 

 compete with but to distance his city-bred rival on his own ground. 

 With these advantages there comes also responsibilities which must 

 be met. He must become a mighty factor in municipal life and gov- 

 ernment, if not always in official position, at least in example and 

 influence. 



His chances of success in the cit}' are superior to those of the city 

 boy, but he should not forget that much if not all of this advantage 

 is due to the strong physical constitution, vigorous muscles and 

 good habits developed in boyhood and young-manhood on the old 

 farm. New fields of opportunity are daily being opened up to the 

 farmer boy who proves himself equal to the occasion. The profes- 

 sions are always open to those who are prepared to enter them and 

 those who are best prepared stand the best chances of succeeding. 



Last, but not necessarily least, the boy who remains on the farm 

 may be as successful as the one who chooses his field of labor else- 

 where. He may not amass so large a fortune; indeed, he may be in 

 but ordinary circumstances and yet be, in the truest sense of the 

 word, a success. True success is not to be estimated in dollars and 

 cents but in tlie development of character within himself and in his 

 service to his fellow man. All things considered, the chances of 

 the farmer bo^^ for success are better than those of any other boy if 

 he will but make the most of the opportunities within his grasp. 



We are standing to-day on the threshold of the twentieth century; 

 its portals are about to swing wide open to us. True, we have no 

 way of judging the future but by tlie past, but judging by the past 

 what may we not hope for. 



Much, as we have seen, depends on the farmer boy; may he not 



