Report of the President. 7 



surpasses them, the figures being for New York $15.73 P^^ acre, 

 for Ohio $13.36, IlHnois $12.48, Texas $12.25, Iowa $12.22. 

 Thirdly, the great and unparalleled markets of the State of New- 

 York are better than ever they were. Fourthly, experience is al- 

 ready showing that an intelligent study of the demands of the mar- 

 ket and an intelligent diversification of agricultural enterprise — with 

 due regard to the condition of the soil and the competition of the 

 western prairies as well as the needs of the local market — offer a 

 road to prosperity to the farmers of New York. 



After all allowance is made for adverse factors, the objective con- 

 ditions are still favorable for successful farming in New York. 

 And with industry and energy, which are the gifts of nature or the 

 products of family training, and with intelligence, which it is the 

 function of educatioii to stimulate and augment, the farmers of New 

 York State may face the future with assured hope and confidence 

 of successful results. What else do men need to achieve success but 

 opportunity, personal energy, and knowledge which is power? 



It will be seen, therefore, that for the successful adjustment of 

 the agriculture of this State to new conditions, and for its prosper- 

 ous development, the outstanding need at the present time is of 

 greater knowledge and intelligence. The farmers must have their 

 ways illuminated by the torch of Science. Farming was an easy, 

 rule of thumb business in former times. But with all the world in 

 competition, and with the multifarious demands of modern civiliza- 

 tion, farming is a more complex and difficult job and calls for 

 greater ability and higher intelligence. Modern universities, ac- 

 cordingly, give agriculture a place side by side with the learned 

 and technical professions and vocations. And why not? In what 

 calling can science make a man's work more fruitful? And are 

 any other objects more worthy of study than those with which the 

 farmer deals? If it is worth while analyzing gases, it is surely 

 worth while analyzing soils ; if men study bacteria and insects and 

 flowers, why should they not give equal attention to horses and 

 cows and fruit and grains? 



The importance of superior education and scientific method for 

 farmers is now generally recognized throughout the United States 

 and even in an old, conservative country like England. The London 

 Times concludes its editorial in its issue of September loth with 

 the following paragraph : 



" To one very important condition of success both advocates and opponents 

 of la petite culture in England pay, we suspect, too little regard — namely, the 

 improvement of agricultural education, for the heads as well as for the rank 

 and file of the industry. In too many of our country districts it is hardly 



