FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 105 



part a social problem. What I mean is this, that while from the 

 economic standpoint the desirable thing is to have a prosperous agri- 

 culture, to make the business of farming a profitable and successful busi- 

 ness, nevertheless the real end to be held in view, and indeed the real 

 method of bringing about an improvement in our farming, consists in 

 those means that will improve the farmers. The methods which urge 

 and stimulate the individual farmer and the whole body of farmers to 

 better farming, to a higher standard of living, to higher aims, to better 

 education, are the methods which will improve our agricultural industry. 

 Of course, the industrial and the social progress must go together. I do 

 not deny the efficacy of more correct farming in building up our agri- 

 culture, nor do I deny the place of proper legislation in making the condi- 

 tions of the industry more profitable. But back of correct farming lies 

 a more intelligent farmer. And before you can have adequate legis- 

 lation for the benefit of farming, you must have a body of thinking 

 farmers organized to secure their rights. I also speak of the problem 

 as a social problem because the means for improving the farmer are 

 largely what we would call social means; they depend in great degree 

 upon the co-operation of individuals, upon social institutions. That this 

 last statement is true is proved, I think, by the great development, es- 

 pecially during the past decade, of such social agencies as our farmers' 

 organizations and the various means for agricultural education. They 

 would not develop as they have developed unless they were of use. 



Let us now go over very hastily some of the agencies already organized 

 that are assisting in the rural progress in our country. Take, first, those 

 things that are making communication in rural districts easier. What- 

 ever views we may have upon the various methods of securing good roads, 

 I think we must admit that our roads are gradually improving and more 

 important yet, that our people are gradually getting together on the 

 question of organizing the good roads movement. I think the subject 

 of good roads as preached by our greatest advocates of road improve- 

 ment is better received by farmers than ever before. We have also seen 

 during the past half dozen years one of the most wonderful movements 

 affecting farmers that has ever taken place in the world's history ; I refer 

 to the marvelous development of the free rural mail delivery system. I 

 do not think that the word revolutionary is too strong a word to use 

 in discussing the effects of this system ; and the fact that in four years 

 more we shall see the great bulk of our farmers enjoying the benefits of 

 this movement is one of the most hopeful facts that I can imagine rela- 

 tive to the future of American rural life. The telephone is also getting 

 to be an ordinary article of household furniture in many rural com- 

 munities, and has the power of conferring many benefits relating not 

 only to business but to the social side of farm life. Electric railways 

 are not being built as rapidly as was predicted a few years ago, and it is 

 probable that in the near future the new lines will simply parallel exist- 

 ing steam railway lines; yet the infiuence of these railways is already 

 far-reaching, and it is the general testimony of those who know that their 

 influence upon the farming territory which they penetrate is almost 

 wholly salutary. 



It is not necessary to dwell in this presence upon the benefits of 



farmers' organizations. It is probable that no state in the Union is as 



thoroughly organized in this respect as is Michigan. Michigan easily 



ranks first in the importance and thorough organization of its farmers' 



14 



