Report of Missouri Farmers' Week. 97 



I would suggest that we examine carefully the history of those who 

 seek to gain entrance to our ranks, and if thought necessary, that 

 we inspect their hands to see if they bear the signs of honest labor, 

 if they have callouses on their hands. 



A great work awaits the investigator, the man who delves 

 down into the hidden secrets of the soil and by patient investiga- 

 tion and careful analysis is able to tell the world by what methods 

 the best results may be attained, what seeds to plant on certain 

 soils and what are the best plans to pursue in the cultivation of 

 crops and for the saving and utilizing of the same after they have 

 been produced. Interest such as has never been exhibited before 

 is being taken in the work of the College of Agriculture and the 

 activities of the Board of Agriculture and the splendid attendance 

 here at our annual Farmers' Week should be and is an inspiration 

 to those of us who love our State and sincerely wish for her ad- 

 vancement until she occupies her rightful place in the van of all 

 of the argicultural states in the Union. 



Let us remember that scientific, progressive farming is in its 

 infancy ; that as yet we have only mastered the rudiments, and that 

 there is a vast, yes, I might say, an illimitable field of endeavor 

 awaiting the researches of the earnest student. So we must not 

 cavil at the apparent slowness of the movement. All great achieve- 

 ments are the result of years and sometimes of centuries of diligent 

 labor, and are often successful only at the cost of blood and treas- 

 ure. Remember that the inspired poet said : 



"Heaven is not gained by a single bound; 

 But we climb the ladder round by round." 



Today there is an awakening along the lines of morality, 

 honesty, sanitation and a general improvement such as the world 

 has never before seen. From every city, hamlet, village and farm 

 comes the cry, "Help us to improve our condition, send out from 

 your schools and colleges men who are trained in the right methods 

 to teach us." 



Everywhere we find this sentiment. It may be down in the 

 land of the green glade and the leafy bower where the humming bird 

 hovers and the cricket chirps ; down, low down in the valley, where 

 the red bird flits and the child loves to play ; high up on the glisten- 

 ing crags of the Ozarks with their barren crests towering among 

 the clouds, where the storm king finds his home and the forest 



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