15 



^^•o^k, expressing the opinion that it would have to take a new start or stop. I 

 am glad to say it did not stop, and the work has gone on much better than it 

 went on in the way we used to have to carry it on. 



I am delighted to know it is progressing so well, and I am glad that at this 

 Initial session of this meeting there are so many present. I am glad that the 

 scope of the organization was so extended — as it was during the last year or so 

 that I was a member of it — as to take in a good many who before that time would 

 not be eligible. I remember changing in the earlier days to the belief that the 

 right plan was to take in the workers — all those who had to do with the direct 

 work of the institute. I am glad that the change was made, and the change is 

 evident by the considerably larger number present than we had at any of the 

 meetings during the time that I was connected with the work. I hope that I 

 may have the pleasure of showing some of you. either as a body or individually, 

 what has been done in the bringing together of the agi-icultural products of the 

 States and provinces which are represented here. 



I hope that as you go through the building you will realize something of the 

 enormous work which each State and Province has done in bringing this exhibit 

 together. My own work and my office has been simply executive. I feel some- 

 times that we are entitled to very little credit for what has been done here, but 

 to whomsoever the credit may belong I think you will find a magnificent exhibit 

 in this building and the building to the south. I know you will say that there 

 is a splendid showing of the agricultural products, not only of this country, but 

 of foreign lands, and as representing those exhibits, in an executive capacity, 

 and in the name of the exposition, I welcome you here and hope you may find 

 jour stay not only pleasant but extremely profitable. I am delighted, as I have 

 said, to greet you and welcome you, and to offer you every facility which we 

 have at our disposal. 



Mr. J. G. Lee, of Louisiana, delivered the following: 



Reply to Address of Welcome. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the American Association of Farmers' 

 Institute Workers: Besides appreciating the great honor it affords me an 

 inexpressible amount of gratification to have been chosen to respond, on behalf 

 of this important organization, to the warm welcome extended us. and clothed 

 in such eloquent language, by Mr. F. W. Taylor, as chief of the department of 

 agriculture of this, the greatest of all world exposition-s. No language of mine 

 could adequately convey to you, sir, the feeling of appreciation and thanks 

 which this association desires to express on this occasion. 



The work which may be said to be here represented by this gathering is one 

 of momentous import to the American farm and to the American home. 



Agriculture is the backbone, the mainstay, of our nation ; but if we are to 

 maintain the position we are now so proudly occupying, as leaders in the world's 

 production of the fruits of the soil, we must not fail to busy ourselves to keep 

 ahead of increasing competition in the other parts of the world. 



Education is the great force to-day that is moving the world's immense indus- 

 ti-ies, and it is to this force we must look to stinmlate and to build up, to its 

 highest state of perfection, that greatest of all industries — agriculture — with 

 which we are so intimately associated. 



The farmers" institute movement throughout America is one which has reiiuix'ed 

 patient work and fo.stering care to bring to where it is to-day. ^lany have been 

 the obstacles placed in the way of its jtrogress from its inception, inspired by 

 ignorance, no doubt, of its true value to the large class of our citizens for 

 whom it was specifically instituted. Thanks, however, to the stout hearts, and 



23344— No. 154— <t.j m 2 



