No. 6. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 2S5 



uj the sleeves and body of a night garment for a not her, because he 

 may be ignorant of the usefulness of the one, and the utility of the 

 other through inexperience. 



Our work should be directed to the aid of the less informed, those 

 honest, industrious people whose opportunities are limited, and to 

 those benighted sections where modern methods have not been 

 introduced, where ignorance and superstition go hand in hand, where 

 signs of the moon and stars are consulted, where cattle are be- 

 witched and troubled with wolf tail and hollow horns, and in fact 

 an array of ridiculous notions prevail even to the cutting of hair 

 of those who have any to cut. 



There are a few up-to-date farmers in every community who learn, 

 of their own volition, the things institutes are designed to teach. 

 These are, however, not the ones needing instruction so much as do 

 those of the elementary class and the classical instruction for the 

 benefit of a few graduates who could be omitted without detriment 

 to the cause. Whatever we may teach let it be what Dickens in ''Hard 

 Times" calls facts, facts, hard facts, and let them be verified facts 

 and not preconceived ideas based upon improved theories. How to 

 do work more easily, more economically, obtain better profits and 

 get and keep more dollars, concern the average farmer more than 

 any abstract science in existence. If the intelligence of an institute 

 audience would at all compare with the highly intelligent audience 

 gathered here, then the theory that only the highest class of scien 

 tific talent could impart the necessary instruction would hold true, 

 •but this generation at least, can receive useful information from 

 those trained under the old curriculum, the three R's, "Readin/ Ritin 

 and 'Rithmetic," seasoned by experience. The production of large 

 crops alone does not conduce to the prosperity of the farmer, as is 

 evident from the crops of cotton, apples and potatoes produced 

 last season for which unremunerative prices were obtainable except 

 in very favorable situations. 



Finally, I will be frank to state that my humble services are not 

 given out of charity, simply, and until I am informed by the Depart- 

 ment that any of those engaged do not promptly make out vouchers 

 and accept checks, I shall remain of the opinion that the rest of 

 those engaged find it more congenial than milking cows, attending 

 stock and marketing produce. Let it not be understood that I am 

 ridiculing or condemning science, because I know its usefulness and 

 value. 



To illustrate my meaning, let me cite the occupation of the baker 

 who supplies you with bread or even your good wife who can bake 

 it better than any one else, yet in many cases those who produce 

 good results never heard of the formula, or yeast plant, and know 

 absolutely nothing about the chemical processes accompanying the 



