84 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



and vegetables. But above all, onr counties are proud of the boys and 

 girls, the men and the women, who have l)eon i-aised on our farms, and 

 the work that they liavc accomplished and are now accomplishing for 

 society. We are proud of those who have left the farms and moved to the 

 towns and cities, because they have made some of the best citizens in 

 our towns and cities ; and we are also proud of those who have stayed on 

 the farms, for we realize that they are the making of Missouri. 



It is appropriate that you should hold your meeting in Columbia, 

 because the Missouri Agricultural College is located in our city. All 

 Misourians have good reason for being proud of that institution, for we 

 believe that the work that is there being done is of the greatest import- 

 ance to the farmers of the State. We are glad that the farmers are begin- 

 ning to realize that our Agricultural College was established by the 

 General Asseml)ly of INIissouri in 1870 for the benefit of the farmers, and 

 that it can be of great benefit to all of the farmers of the State. I have 

 been introduced to you as a graduate of the Agricultural College, which 

 is true; hence I personally know something of the value of the work of 

 that deparment. T graduated in 1884, at a time when there were five 

 students in that department, and the department was considered some- 

 thing of a joke by those not familiar with it. But today, under the 

 leadership of our distinguished President, Dr. Hill, and the Dean of the 

 Department, Prof. Mumford, and the other members of the faculty, there 

 are now enrolled six hundred and fifty students in that department, and 

 it is considered one of the greatest departments in our University. Al- 

 though I graduated as a farmer, I did not become a practicing farmer. 

 However, I married a farmer; so you see, gentlemen, I have always had 

 respect for and patience with the farmers. As a lawyer, I have been 

 glad when I had a jury composed of farmers, especially if my client was 

 on the right side, because I have learned that farmers want to do what is 

 right, and will do it, if they only know what is right. 



And it is appropriate tliat this meeting should be held in Columbia, 

 because here in Columbia one of the gentlemen connected with the 

 Agricultural College perfected the hog cholera cure; and Columbia is 

 the home of the great cow, Josephine, the greatest dairy cow in the world. 



We are glad to have you in Columbia, ladies and gentlemen, and 

 glad to have you learn more about our Agricultural College. I realize 

 that this gathering represents the progressive and the educated farmers 

 of our State. You come here seeking information on various subjects, 

 some of you come at a sacrifice, and many of you come at great incon- 

 venience. We hope that the information that you here receive from the 

 leading agriculturists of the State and of the nation will be carried by 



