94 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



lead is the State Board of Agriculture. Through its different de- 

 partments it has been a pioneer in the building of good roads, the 

 making of better farmers and the training of better men and 

 women. 



The first farmers' meeting, annual Farmers' Week, you have 

 been told, was held in 1906. At that meeting there were three 

 State organizations represented. At this meeting today, only seven 

 years later, you will find something like a dozen State-wide organi- 

 zations represented. The growth of these organizations, the 

 growth of Farmers' Week and the interest that is being taken all 

 over the State in the building of good roads, the making of better 

 farming, all seem to indicate that the spirit of progress which has 

 seemingly lain dormant so long in Missouri is at last springing 

 forth into new and renewed life. I venture the assertion that 

 never again shall it be truthfully said during a census period of 

 ten years that the rural population of Missouri had actually de- 

 creased. I hope it will not much longer be said that the average 

 production of corn in Missouri is ever less than 30 bushels per acre. 

 I believe that the Missouri farmer is wide-awake and alert, and 

 that the time is not far distant when the production of corn in 

 Missouri shall be nearer 50 bushels than 30 bushels per acre. 



I think that one of the institutions that is going to help as much 

 as any other in this better farming is the employment of agricul- 

 tural advisers in each county in the State. This, however, is a 

 movement that is new and will have to be tried out with caution, 

 but I think the time is not far distant when nearly every county in 

 the State will have in its employment such a man. 



We are living in the dawn of a new era. It is an age of better 

 farming — scientific farming, if you wish to call it that — an age 

 of modern farm homes that will help to keep the boy and girl upon 

 the farm — an age of better roads, even permanent highways cross- 

 ing this State in every direction. All of these things will mean 

 better educated, better trained and more contented citizens. 



Again, we are glad that you are here. We want you to stay 

 with us the entire week, attend every meeting, get all the good 

 you can out of the talks, tell the rest of us all of the good things that 

 you know, and stay for the banquet. After going home, put into 

 practice the ideas you have gleaned here and which will be profit- 

 able and of practicable benefit to you. Tell your neighbors of the 

 good things of Farmers' Week, and don't forget to "boost" all the 

 time. Boost for better farming, better roads and a better Missouri. 



