666 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



sider. He must have some idea wliat line of farming he is f^oinj? to 

 follow. The matter of proximity to a good market is important, 

 as is also the proximity to a railroad station. But wherever he 

 locates, or however large or small his farm may be, his one ambi- 

 tion should be to make it pay, for the richest farmer finds little 

 satisfaction in conducting a farm that will not at least pay its own 

 expenses. 



The secret of success in farming is to know how to do it. Not only 

 to be able to raise crops, but to raise crops that are in greatest 

 demand; and those that will sell to the best advantage. Let it be 

 said of the farmer as the poet Longfellow has said: 



"His heart is in his work, and 'tis the heart that giveth grace 

 to every art." 



To be sure, all cannot be equally successful in farming. But do 

 not be easily discouraged. If a lawyer loses a case does he give 

 up his profession? Or if a doctor lose a patient, does he give up 

 his occupation? No, indeed; it only leads them to work more ener- 

 getically; to think more deeply, and so find out wherein they have 

 failed. So it should be with the farmer, for so much is dependent 

 on his efforts. Let him read his newspapers and magazines, the 

 latest books on agriculture; let him think beforehand what he can 

 do practically to improve his farm and make it more profitable than 

 it was in the past. Does he aim at a life useful and beneficial to his 

 race, then let him remember that every acre he reclaims, every blade 

 of grass he causes to grow where none grew before, ameliorates the 

 condition of his fellow-men. 



And we who have joined the band of farmer's wives, let us not 

 lament our fate, but feel thankful that we have the privilege of 

 breathing the pure, fresh air of the country God has made. Let us 

 put on the armor of tact and industry and be prepared, at all times, 

 to be a help on the farm, not a hindrance. 



"Good husband without it is needful there be; 

 Good housewife within is as needful as he." 



Our great lines of transportation are dependent on the farmer 

 and his products. Immense quantities of lumber, coal, iron, wheat, 

 grains of all kinds, flour, petroleum, and fruits of all kinds are trans- 

 ported yearly to different countries and to all the large cities and 

 towns. These cities and towns are increasing rapidly, and as they 

 increase, the greater is the demand for farm products. But how 

 would this transportation be carried on if it were not for the ship- 

 yards and ship builders, the innumerable machine shops and ma- 

 chinists? And where is the material obtained with which to work? 

 Originally from the country, from the forests and mines, where a 

 host of lumbermen, miners and iron workers are working daily to 

 supply the demand for these products. And every one of these men 

 with their families, owes his living to the labors of the farmer. 



The great army of clerks in our large department stores, is also 

 dependent on the farmer for its daily bread. Many of these clerks, 

 no doubt, lived, at one time, on the farm, and now are obliged to be 

 shut up wiiere the sun seldom shines and where a breath of pure 

 air is not known. How many of them would, if the opportunity 

 presented itself, go back to the farm and the hospitality of the 

 farmer? The bankers, brokers and men of profession, many of 



