THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 435 



myself these comments from two city visitors put my thoughts in action. 

 Here was food for thought. I had come to take food for the body, and 

 I had been supplied with food for the mind. Everything in nature calls 

 for food — the growing plant, the animal, the human, all need food, 

 and without it all material life will shrink and perish. Is it not even so 

 with tne mind, unless supplied with its peculiar food? Was I not there- 

 fore fortunate? I had been supplied with two kinds of food, so having 

 satisfied the needs of the body I put on my thinking cap and went forth 

 to view again some results of the labors of "Hayseeds." 



As I passed down the lines of fine cattle, through the pens of sheep 

 and swine, and among the stands where were displayed the various 

 products of the field, I asked, "Why should the term 'Hayseed' be ap- 

 plied to the men behind all this?" And the answer came, ignorance of 

 the great science of agriculture — the "Master Science" as it has been 

 aptly termed by one of our leaders in the great work. But after all a 

 "hayseed" is not by any means an insignificant thing. Think of the 

 great fields of waving grass, the huge barns packed with the fragrant hay, 

 and some conception of the greatness of a "hayseed" may be formed. 

 And so in passing through this great collection of animals, products of 

 the fields and implements, one may form a high idea of the farmer's oc- 

 cupation. 



What other occupation can offer so many attractions to the man 

 seeking a, life study? See the different lines of farming, the varied and 

 vast fields for work and study. Take first the raising of crops. Watch 

 how they grow; from the tiny seed that supplies the tender shoot with 

 its first nourishment, on to the fully matured growth, with its roots and 

 leaves or blades, the one to draw food from the earth, the other life from 

 the air and sun. Here again opens up the study of food supply from the 

 chemical point of view, a field of study rich enough in itself to fill a man's 

 life. Add soil physics, methods of cultivation, and I ask again what 

 other occupation can unfold such wealth of material for study than even 

 this one branch of farming? Pass on to the work of stock raising and 

 feeding; see the interesting nature of this work, the various animals, 

 their habits and uses. Apply again the discoveries of science to the 

 production and development of the best. Thus in every department there 

 is ever present the opportunity for the study of nature; in every part 

 of the farm, at your feet, by your side, all around, wherever you lift your 

 eyes a marvel is spread before you. See the beautiful hues and shades of 

 color in the woods these glorious autumn days. What causes this varied 

 coloring? Let chemistry come to your aid and unfold this mystery, tell 

 you or the different substances and elements working to these wonderful 

 effects. Learn the cause and effect of all that surround you and the 

 country has charms that no city can offer. 



With such a field before them why should we see young men leaving 

 the farm? It can only be from want of the true knowledge of the hidden 

 treasures they leave behind. Doubtless our agricultural experiment sta- 

 tions and lecturers are doing much to dispel the darkness, also our agri- 

 cultural papers are spreading knowledge broadcast over the land, and in 

 time we may hope for a return to the farm. There is room for all that take 



