No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 425 



identilication either by Lis manner or liis conversation. To meet 

 this cosmopolitan reijuirement he should be a man of a liberal educa- 

 tion, posted on the allairs of the world and in matters of doubt be 

 able to exprciS'S in good plain English the opinions he has formed, 

 and with all this should be the relined pride that every well balanced 

 man should have in his occupation. When occasion requires him to 

 speak concerning his work, he should never lower his voice to say 

 "1 am a farmer." 



It is possibly late to ask the question, "What is education? As 

 far ae I have been able to find a short definition for.it, it is the ability 

 to think, and think logically and correctly. There is a wide differ- 

 ence between education and information. A man with only a 

 memory may gather up in these days of statistics and reports almost 

 any amount of information, but if he do not have the educational 

 qualifications to use the information, he has nothing, in truth, but 

 vubbish and lumber. What is of vast use to the trained thinker, to 

 the other is nothing but vanity — riches washed up by the sea to 

 Crusoe. 



After the student has learned to think and he shall be industrious 

 and thorough, then all the education of the world is at his command. 

 Let him not lament that he is too old for the schools or that if he 

 is younger he has not the means to avail himself of the help and use- 

 fulness f the schools and the association of trained men. Men 

 know nothing that is worth knowing nowadays that is not in books 

 or that does not pretty soon get into the books, and if the learner 

 should go to the schools he would be taught from the books. 



1 know that association with and the conversation of good and 

 wise men is educational and a great source of inspiration, but the list- 

 ener must bring to the talker a keen ear and an attentive one and a 

 comprehending understanding. I say nothing but good for good 

 schools. Our country public schools have been the seed-beds of the 

 flower and the glory of our nation, but I believe that many a young 

 man is having the whole trend of his life changed from usefulness at 

 some high institution of learning during the most critical period of 

 his lift, ranging variously from the time he is eighteen to twenty-five 

 years old, when otherwise he might be mastering the important first 

 principles of some life vocation, that in the hopeful days of boyhood 

 would hold such winning attractions and that to the college man of 

 twenty-five would be "flat, stale and unprofitable." 



The ambition that is fruitful usually germinates early in the 

 springtime of life, the later varieties are apt to be catch crops and not 

 to be depended ui)on. 



It will not be gainsaved I think that the education of everv man 

 should embrace morality, temperance, kindness, patriotism, admira- 

 tion and respect for womankind, a love for the beautiful and good in 

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