265 



the main iniplenicnt of the farmer of tlie day, is a knowledge of 

 at least the rudiments of the science of agriculture, and this imple- 

 ment we had no means of providing. ^loreover, few men will at 

 a mature age undertake to ac([uire the necessary book knowledge 

 to guide them in their pursuit, and book information is but the 

 gear by the aid of which one is enabled to steer clear of error. 

 Any quantity of bulletins will not create a farming populatio-i 

 where there is none. These are intended' to help those that are 

 already tillers of the soil. We must catch the youth that is agri- 

 culturally inclined and mold it into condition to manipulate the 

 land successfully. Youth so inclined, and so trained is inexorably 

 bound to the soil, and other conditions not being adverse, is bound 

 to make a success of farming. Gradually we may hope thus to 

 build up a farming population from within rather than wait for 

 possible settlers from without. Around this class as a nucleus a 

 desirable community is built up. Their success will be the mag- 

 net to attract others from without. 



^Moreover, young men equipped* with the necessary knowledge 

 for agricultural work, will find the means of opening up land 

 tracts now closed, and overcoming obstacles in transportation and 

 marketing. Given a farming population and we can depend upoyi 

 it that the incidental problems will be solved. 



As a parallel to the reasons advanced for aiming at converting 

 our own growing generation into agriculturists one may cite our 

 Normal School, as a case in point. Were we dependent upon 

 mainland teachers our supply would never answ^er our needs. By 

 preparing our own teaching staff we are provided with a body 

 of teachers that can be depended upon to stay with us. So also 

 to populate our soil we will act wisely to draw^ upon our own 

 sons and daughters. Once settled they will be certain to stay, with 

 us and help us build the state to which we so fondly look forward. 



WHAT THE COLLEGE CAX DO. 



To meet this urgent need our last Legislature has wisely made 

 provision for a college of agriculture. But much of the work of 

 building up a farming community from within will depend, I 

 believe, upon the nature of agricultural course tlie college will 

 provide. It is doubtless Mattering to any community to be in a 

 position to provide higher education, be it technical or other. We 

 could model our college after California or similar state colleges. 

 The graduates of this college would doubtless make excellent 



