FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 67 



based upon the ability of the agriculturist to not only sui)ply the needs of 

 himself and family, but also those engaged in other vocations. For its 

 own safety, therefore, the nation must encourage those engaged in an 

 avocation upon which the success of all others must depend. 



The particular branch of agricultural production we are to discuss this 

 afternoon— live stock — is one of its greatest essentials, because it not only 

 has to do with supplying an important food element, but also with the 

 conservation of fertility in the soil, that its productiveness may increase 

 from year to year, rather than decrease. The improvement of the live 

 stock of a country, therefore, is of the utmost importance, as it serves 

 to make its agriculture more prosperous. If agriculture is the basis of a 

 nation's prosperity, improved live stock is the basis of agricultural pros- 

 perity. 



Of course we have those among us who assert that mankind should 

 become vegetarians, and under the influence of faddists and manufactur- 

 ers of cereal foods, some people have been foolish enough to accept such 

 theory and attempt to live up to it. But the natural instinct of mankind 

 and the history of nations since time began, show that the meat eaters 

 have always been the prepondering force in the advancement of the world, 

 while the vegetarians have become weak, timid and irresolute, and inca- 

 pable of protecting themselves from the aggression of others. (The great 

 reason why today the Americans are a dominating force in the world is 

 not because they live in the United States, but because they are the best 

 fed, clothed and housed of any people in the world, and their food is of the 

 best description.) It is the good red blood that courses through the veins 

 and nourishes the brain that makes the American sailor and soldier the 

 best fighting men living and American inventors and business men the 

 most progressive. And that blood never would be furnished with a veg- 

 etable diet. We must have beef, mutton, pork and dairy products, and the 

 products of the poultry yards also, to build up the nation through the 

 development of the individual. The improver of live stock, therefore, has 

 a most important mission in the world, and only good can come from such 

 assemblages as this, where questions relating to all branches of the indus- 

 try can be discussed fully and freely. 



To get the most good of this meeting let every one take part in the 

 discussions, and give the results of his experience and observations for the 

 benelit of others. 



Our program is quite lengthy, the topics are important ones, and we 

 have the right kind of men to talk on them, so let us have a live and useful 

 meeting that will do us all good. 



