70 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



of 1913. The entries of small grain were numerous and of 

 excellent quality. 



One of the fine features of the week was the annual banquet 

 provided by the Agricultural College and attended by some 500 

 farmers. The large dining hall was completely filled. Among 

 the speakers were Governor Elliott W. Major and others promi- 

 nent in public life or in agricultural work. 



In the following pages will be found a report of the proceed- 

 ings of the week. We regret that all of these reports are not com- 

 plete, but it was impossible to secure copies of all addresses and 

 papers. For this report, as published, the Board of Agriculture 

 is greatly indebted to the secretaries of the various associations 

 and to members of the Agricultural College faculty. 



MISSOURI FARMERS' WEEK. 



(Hon. George B. Ellis, editor The Missouri Farmer, Columbia, Mo., and former Secretary 



of tlie Missouri State Board of Agriculture.) 



Have you ever attended Farmers' Week, held under the 

 auspices of the State Board of Agriculture? 

 If you have you know something about the 

 enthusiasm this great annual event begets in 

 the minds of those who gather in the Agricul- 

 tural College each January. The inspiration 

 and information farmers have received from 

 the exhibitions, demonstrations and lectures 

 during Farmers' Week has been a very great 

 factor in the wonderful awakening we have 

 seen in the last few years in the betterment of 

 Hon. George B. Ellis. farm practiccs and in rural life conditions. 

 The good influence of these meetings does not stop with the few 

 thousands who have been fortunate enough to attend, but 

 through the publications of the Board, the publicity of the press 

 and the missionary work of those who have attended this influ- 

 ence has reached the remotest corners of the State. 



I have been asked to give a brief reminiscence of the organi- 

 zation and development of the annual meeting known as "Farm- 

 ers' Week." Looking back for a great many years we find that 

 different classes of farmers have been organized in State associa- 

 tions for mutual benefit, but until the organization of Farmers' 

 Week no successful effort had ever been made to bring all classes 

 of farmers together for conference and for instruction. Some of 



