116 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



That there has always been something broader and better than finan- 

 cial considerations which has inspired the work of the Clubs is proved 

 by the fact that the work has been carried on almost without money. 

 The time and the energy of the workers has been devoted freely. There 

 have been no salaries or other emoluments of office to lure the workers 

 on. Devotion to the cause, a sincere desire to aid in the accomplishment 

 of noble purposes, has been their inspiration. 



Young in years, but old in hereditary and acquired experience; broad 

 in purpose, but converging its forces in a manner to be effective; poor 

 financially — it has practically nothing — yet rich in energy, nobility of 

 purpose and all that goes to make real power. Such in brief is the 

 Farmers' Club today. 



What of the future? Will the Farmers' Club endure? Can we dis- 

 cover forces that are tending to destroy it? It is singularly free from 

 disrupting forces. I know of no internal dissensions in the local or 

 general body which can be regarded with even the slightest alarm. 

 Inherent weaknesses in the organization, if there are any, have not yet 

 revealed themselves. 



The organization is philanthropic, therefore it is singularly free from 

 aggressive forces from without. It is philanthropic in that its purposes, 

 if accomplished, would benefit all classes. Its aims are constructive, 

 not destructive. But in the construction of good things it sometimes 

 becomes necessary to remove obstructions. Right and wrong must ever 

 stand opposed. Truth and error cannot occupy the same place, and in 

 its efforts to advance truth and right, the Farmers' Club will always 

 meet opposition. That opposition has been met, it came and will always^ 

 come from a class of men who are profiting, or hope to profit, by the 

 continuation of error and wrong. Such opposition is helpful and a real 

 compliment. The Farmers' Club has always received unqualified en- 

 dorsement from the best citizenship without regard to class. Destruc- 

 tive forces then, so far as we can discover, either within or without the 

 organization, are non-existent — at least do not exist in degree to cause 

 apprehension. 



So long as the Farmers' Club holds to its present line of effort and 

 methods, this happy condition will continue. 



Will the purposes and aims of the Farmers' Club ever cease to be 

 desired by its members and the organization disintegrate? Kot until 

 evolution shall be superseded by revolution, and man willingly enters 

 upon a course of retrogression. 



Will its purposes be fully accomplished so that there be no need of 

 further effort? Not until man has reached a position so exalted that 

 there can be no further progress, which is absolutely inconceivable. 



Under these conditions, who shall venture to number the days of 

 the Farmers' Club's existence? 



What will be the specific line of endeavor in the future? The local 

 Clubs will continue the work in which they are now engaged and will 

 pursue improved methods as experience shall demonstrate to be wise. 

 By frequent and regular meetings social conditions will be advanced. 

 By discussion of questions bearing upon our civil condition knowledge 

 will be acquired and intellectual grasp broadened and strengthened. 

 By considerations of questions pertaining exclusively to farming, im- 

 proved business methods will be discovered and adopted. A larger 



