No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 351 



<^o forth throughout Pennsylvania, into the different counties, that 

 they will go equipped as they never before have been to carry on 

 and forward and ever advancing this great work. That is an in- 

 spiration to me, as well as a pleasing thought. And I will only add 

 that the one thing that has nerved and strengthened and given to 

 me energy and courage to attempt to move forward in this work is 

 the support and courteous treatment extended to me by the County 

 Chairmen of Institutes everywhere, without an exception. I do 

 not feel that, as I look back over these five years, my friends, that 

 I am deserving of the kind treatment bestowed. I think I can see 

 many times in which I might have bettered the situation. I might 

 have done some things that would have aided some county chair- 

 man, laboring and struggling under difiSculties; I might, perhaps, 

 have done something more helpful to him in his arduous w^ork. On 

 the other hand, I have seen some lecturers that I might have given 

 a more helping hand at times. 



I look back over all these things, and remember how kind and 

 courteous you have been to me during all this arduous work and 

 how, to-day, we are moving on heart and hand in this great work, 

 the greatest ever entrusted to man for the advancement of mankind 

 — the elevation of agriculture. 



Now, thanking you for all the kindnesses extended, we shall sepa- 

 rate from this place, so far as I am concerned, with the kindest feel- 

 ings and the brighest hopes for our advancement in the future. 



On motion, the Normal Institute adjourned. 



A. L. MARTIN, 



Secretary. 



