68 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



for the promotiou of many beueHts. Nevertheless the farmers of this 

 country prefer to live out in the country on their farms. Our inde- 

 pendent farm homes are the pride of the nation. Where is the man, even 

 the city man, who does not experience feelings almost akin to envy as he 

 passes through our open country districts by rail or by team and views 

 the well-kept farm home with its orchard, garden and real home-like sur- 

 roundings? There is such an air of independence, freedom and content- 

 ment in the picture as a whole that no one need wonder why the farm 

 home is the birthplace of most of the successful men and women of our 

 times. The thought of a division of our people into classes is repulsive 

 to the man imbued with truly American ideas, but regardless of this we 

 find it quite natural for people engaged in a like calling to be drawn 

 together by such sympathy of interests and effort. Thus we note that 

 where farmers live near villages and cities, and take advantage of the 

 opportunities to mingle in a social way with town people there is never 

 such ease and enjoyment attained as to make them feel fully at home. 

 The social enjoyment of a single or occasional event under such circum- 

 stances may be inviting and profitable in a way, but after all the bill is 

 not filled to satisfaction. 



One may now ask, what are the needs of the American farmer, of the 

 enjoyment of which his isolated farm life deprives him? We answer, 

 all such benefits and helpful agencies as can be attained and established 

 through combined eifort only. Prominent among these may be men- 

 tioned : 



1. A sufficiently high standing in social attainment to make and keep 

 him the peer of the best of our people. 



2. An intellectual training which shall enable him to successfully 

 cope with all the intricate problems of his business and which will give 

 him such knowledge of public affairs and i^rocedure as will enable him 

 to act intelligently on all matters which interest and concern him. 



3. Such knowledge of business and the markets of the world both for 

 selling and for buying as will give best possible returns for his labor, and 

 to the end that more of the possibilities and enjoyment of life may be 

 secured for himself and family. 



4. Such infiuence upon the body i^olitic as will relegate to disgrace 

 all corrupting and disfranchising methods, and which will cause the 

 principles of honesty, justice and economy to govern the acts of all public 

 servants. Also such influence as will direct the legislation of our State 

 and nation along lines indicated by the greatest good to the greatest 

 number of our people. 



Do you ask, is all of this goodness, intelligence and influence for farm- 

 ers alone? I answer, certainly not. We would have all people working 

 along the same lines and to the same ends, but in point of importance 

 to the success of our State and nation, agriculture towers over all com- 

 bined, and its devotees constitute over 40 per cent of our entire popula- 

 tion. For these reasons their influence should be proportionately reflected 

 upon our governmental affairs. If anyone fears the results proposed 

 through this new era of a higher social standing, greater intelligence, 

 proportionate wealth and a determining influence upon public affairs 

 for farmer, let them note the fact that the farmers of America are 

 naturally a patriotic and a safe people. Their general intelligence is 



