662 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



I believo there is no occupation known to man of greater import- 

 ance, or that admits of wider scope for thought than that of agricul- 

 ture. It is the very foundation of all our greatness. Only recently 

 I heard a learned speaker say that m the event of war with Great 

 Britain, so great is her dependence upon our unbounded agricultural 

 resources, that we could starve her into submission in six months. 

 We eat to live; therefore, I say with boldness, that agriculture is 

 first of the occupations of men, aod first in honor. 



Now that you have my idea as to the qualifications of the success- 

 ful farmer, the question will naturally come to us all, ''How can we 

 foster, build up and produce this kind of a farmer?" And right 

 here I wish to say that I fully appreciate what is being done in the 

 old Keystone State through our farm organizations, the Grange, the 

 Farmers' Alliance, Farm Clubs, Fair Associations, Farmers' Insti- 

 tutes, all fostered under the watchful eye of the State Board of Agri- 

 culture. Without a well organized State Board, we are as a great 

 ship out 041 the broad ocean, with no rudder, learned captain, or 

 skilled crew. It is well, that the farmer has a place to look for ad- 

 vice and guidance in case of emergency, and this he has in our State 

 Board of Agriculture, headed, as I believe it is by competent, prac- 

 tical, energetic and honest men. It may be true, that the Board, be- 

 ing human, have made mistakes. There will be mistakes as 

 long as men inhabit the earth, but when men learn to be as 

 ready and williiig to overlook them as they are now to find fault 

 and to criticise, they will give their superiors that hearty support 

 that will send them onward in their honest endeavors to promote 

 their best interests, and in their closer touch with the people greater 

 and more efificient work will be accomplished. It is gratifying to 

 mark the improvement where farmers are brought together and 

 taught the improved methods in farming, and witness their eager- 

 ness to learn the ways in which farming conditions can be better 

 improved. 



But to return to our ideal farmer. He should be well balanced, 

 self-possessed, persistent and able to decide for the best, and then 

 work towards his plan. These are the qualifications I have in mind, 

 and with these there is no business more pleasant and profitable 

 than the pursuits pertaining to the farm. Think, for a moment, of 

 the home of the successful farmer; you all know what it means. 

 Glance back to the dear old home of your childhood; see the ample 

 farm house, embowered in leafy shade, with its springs of pure water, 

 its cellars stocked with delicious fruits and vegetables, and all 

 presided over by a ruddy-faced stalwart man, the head supplemented 

 by that genius of the home, the lovely wife, partner of his joys and 

 sorrows, God's best gift to man; a family of healthful, happy boys 

 and girls growing up around them, the best investment io all their 



