FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 119 



means at one's command. And the farmer who succeeds in the futiiri^, 

 must understand the changed conditions of agriculture, and where his 

 weak places are, and supply them. The leaks must stop in every direction, 

 and cheap and economical methods of production must prevail. Wheat 

 has gone up 20 cents a bushel, with the same conditions prevailing, and 

 it proves that the law of supply and demand regulates those things. I 

 believe that all manufacturing industries that have succeeded, have suc- 

 ceeded mainly by utilizing, what have been in the past, wastes. 



Take Armour & Co., and Swift & Co., they are making themselves rich 

 out of what the farmers and butchers waste because they cannot utilize it. 

 It teaches us this lesson, that so far as possible every farmer shall utilize 

 every means in his power; instead of being discouraged, he should give 

 greater energy to his farming, with the stern determination to come out 

 ahead. 



The American people have not gone to the poorhouse yet, and they are 

 not going. When they go, the rest of the world will go with them. 

 Instead of talking of the condition we are in, let us go to work and help 

 each other out, 



Thos. Mars : I wish to say for the benefit of my friend Mr. Redf ern, that 

 when I was in the legislature, the necessity for a prayer of that kind did 

 not exist. It is a modern prayer. I will tell you the reason why : Friend 

 Ball was in the other end of the capitol the same session I was there. 



Now, Mr. Chairman, I heartily endorse what friend Redfern has said 

 tonight; I am pleased with his remarks, and I cannot say that I am 

 exceeding well pleased with friend Ball's remarks, although he and I 

 agree generally very well. But I do believe, fellow farmers, that it is 

 your bounden duty to investigate your surroundings. I know how well 

 friend Ball can talk in regard to the product of sheep, the value of cattle, 

 etc. But he can sell a cotton sheep for wool at any time, when I have a 

 full blooded wool sheep, that I caunot get the price for. The same way 

 with his four cent beef. He can sell one of his Durhams for four cents a 

 pound, when I and my friend here on the right cannot get more than 

 two and a quarter. One just as good, exactly, as the other. 



It is the man who has a great deal to do with it. I don't want the 

 farmers to be grumblers, and I don't want them to be looked upon as 

 grumblers, but I do want the farmers of Michigan to stand upon their 

 dignity, and when they are oppressed by other classes of people, 

 I want them to know enough to resent it, and if there is any help 

 to be had, be prepared to insist upon having it, before the legislature or 

 anywhere else under Heaven. 



I do not think it is for us to say that everything is all right and smooth 

 and let other people manage the affairs of this country entirely; if a 

 farmer is competent to fill an office, let him do as the politicians do, even 

 if it is going to congress. I think you ought to be prepared to fill an office 

 creditably to yourself and your constituency. If you are competent to 

 be Governor, do as the politicians do — announce your name for the 

 position and don't be backward, and I believe if you take this position 

 the time is not far distant until the farmers will be counseled as to true 

 and honorable measures, as well as any other class of people. 



L. C. Root: I wish to make a little plea for unity of action. I wish to 

 urge every farmer here to join some organization so as to work in unity 

 with his brother farmers. I called on a professional gentleman this 



