612 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



direction and advisement of competent teachers and at the same time have 

 them surrounded with good home influences. Make an effort to keep them 

 contented on the farm and check the already alarming tendency to flock 

 into the towns and cities. It is high time we put forth more effort to make 

 the industry, which ever has been, is today and ever must be, the basic 

 foundation of our Nation's prosperity; the most inviting of all industries. 



Taking agriculture in all its varied branches, where is there a better field 

 for the boy or girl with high ambition to become influential and at the same 

 time useful to the world? We should put forth every effort to help the more 

 modest, or, as we sometimes say, the dull boy or girl to a clearer conception 

 of what he or she really is. We should help them to a realization of their 

 own possibilities. 



In conclusion let us all realize with the poet: 



* ' God gives no value unto man 



Unmatched by need of labor, 

 And cost of worth has even been 

 The closest. neighbor. " 



' ' Up the broad stairs that value rears 



Stands motive beck'ning earthward, 

 To summon men to nobler spheres 

 And lead them northward. " 



LEGISLATION IN THE INTERESTS OF IOWA FARMERS. 



Hon. G. F. Coburn, Before the Cherokee County Farmers^ Institute. 



Farmers in the past have borne the burdens of taxation and combina- 

 tions with but little complaint; when I say farmers, I mean all who are 

 interested in agriculture. We often remark that we will not accomplish 

 anything if we try, but we observe also that whenever a leader arises, and a 

 determined effort is put forth, results are attained. 



I recall to mind, during the session of the Thirtieth General Assembly, 

 when the Iowa Meat Growers' Association met at Des Moines and asked for 

 a hearing before the committee on Railroads and Commerce, that the hear- 

 ing was granted, the committee convened, and at the conclusion of the 

 hearing of the meat growers' association and that of the managers of 

 the railroad systems, the request of the meat growers' association was 

 granted, and this was not overlooked by President Roosevelt in his message 

 to Congress, when he clearly indicated that there must be something done 

 along this line at the present session; and also, this organization ought to 

 indorse the president's attitude. You may think this would be useless, but 

 stop and think; this organization is the official voice of the farmers of Cher- 

 okee county of the State of Iowa, and the best State in the United States. 



