No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 667 



whom would look with scorn on the farmer if they were to meet 

 him, would, indeed, be chagrined, if, on entering their respective 

 homes after their day's work is done, with the expectation of dining 

 sumptuous!}', they found their tables void of all the products of the 

 farm. 



Again, how useless would the vast number of large cotton and 

 woolen manufacturies which are found in different parts of our coun- 

 try be, if it were not for the quantities of cotton produced by the 

 farmers in the' South, and the wool that is also obtained from the 

 great number of sheep raised on the farm. A large proportion of 

 the successful men in the large cities are the product of the farm and 

 not any of them, whether rich or poor, could live without the farmer 

 and his produce. 



And last, but not least in importance, by any means, is the boy on 

 the farm. He it is who runs errands, feeds the chickens, milks the 

 cows, and does the numerous indispensable things to be done on the 

 farm. But do not let him think there is nothing but drudgery in 

 farming. When he is milking he should not think that he is doing it 

 just because his master wants a few quarts of milk, for which ho 

 will receive so many cents a quart; but let him think that he is doing 

 it to help mankind; for how many little lives alone are dependent on 

 the product of the dairy farm; to say nothing of the quantity of 

 milk, cheese and butter consumed by older inhabitants. Let him 

 have his boolis and papers, good ones, of course, and give him the 

 best education you possibly can — a complete course in agriculture, if 

 vou can afford it, and then if he still has an inclination for the farm, 

 he can go to work with a knowledge of what he is doing. He need 

 not be ashamed of his calling, for farming is the most independent 

 and healthful work he could do. If he becomes so situated that he 

 can leave the farm for awhile, and engage in other business, the 

 experience gained thereby may do him good. 



About two-thirds of the young men have gone to the city from 

 the countiw; and to them we must look for life and energy in busi- 

 ness. 



One autumn, several years ago. President McKinley, with a num- 

 ber of the members of his cabinet, was riding in a special car through 

 the West. ' As the train sped along and then slowed up, they noticed 

 in a field a boy jump quickly on a warm- spot on which a cow had 

 just been lying, and the question was asked. How many of those 

 present had, as barefooted boys on the farm, done the same thing? 

 And every one present had warmed his bare feet in this way. This 

 incident shows that even our great statesmen, many of them, are 

 the product of the farm; and the government itself looks to the 

 farm for its success. 



So boys, if you are tempted to leave the farm, stop and think, and 

 think again, before you make the change. If some of our greatest 

 presidents began their career as country boys and worked their way 

 to the highest and most honored position a man can hold, what can't 

 you do with the advantages you now have in obtaining an education. 

 We need in every walk of life those Avho have developed brain and 

 brawn in the fresh, pure air of the country. 



"The riches of the Commonwealth, 



Are free, strong minds and hearts of health; 

 And more to her than gold or grain, 

 The cunning hand and cultured brain."— Whittier. J 



