EDITORIAL. 207 



tioii of lands, and that the indications point to a remarkable de^elop- 

 nient of the agricultural industry all over New England. 



The interest of the railroads in the promotion of agriculture has 

 been exemplified in various ways — by the operation of trains over its 

 lines for institute work, the giving of prizes and scholarships in agri- 

 cultural colleges, and by other means. Recently the president of a 

 large railway system in the East has announced the policy of estab- 

 lishing several demonstration farms to indicate what can be done 

 with a reasonable expenditure and intelligent management to j^ield 

 a good living on lands now largely out of commission. The road 

 has purchased a run-down farm for that j^urpose and plans to buy 

 two others in the near future. As these farms are brought up they 

 will be offered for sale and others purchased. Another road has 

 l)roposed to purchase one or more run-down farms in Xew York 

 State, to be turned over to the state department of agriculture or 

 the colleges having courses in agriculture, for the purpose of demon- 

 strating improved farm practice and showing the opportunities in 

 such land. 



A similar departure has been made by another railroad system in 

 the East, which, in addition to demonstrating the renovation and 

 utilization of farm land, will aid in the promotion of agriculture by 

 institute work, exhibits, and in other ways. In neither case has the 

 railroad large areas of land to dispose of, as some of the western roads 

 have, but the movement is prompted by a faith in agriculture and a 

 belief in the greater utilization of farm lands. 



These and many other things point to a widespread revival of in- 

 terest in the agricultural industry, which is being furthered by 

 various agencies. Economic and sociological studies are recognized 

 as among the most important to the present development of the busi- 

 ness of farming and the conditions under which it is carried on. A 

 great field is here represented, which has only just begun to be occu- 

 })ied, and is not yet full}^ blocked out. It offers large opportunity 

 for extending the usefulness and influence of the agricultural colleges 

 and the departments which preside over the agricultural interests of 

 the States. Development along these channels seems at the present 

 time especially opportune. 

 25493— No, 3—10 2 



