10 Aug., 1918.] Agriculture in America. 467 



Department of Agriculture. I have, however, detailed notes of every 

 interview, aud all that I have seen, and these notes Can be better 

 presented when time and contemplation place them in their proper 

 perspective. 



The information so far gained has been up to expectation, and I 

 feel that I will be able to turn much of what I have gained to imme- 

 diate practical use on my a-eturn. The time is flying fast, and much 

 remains to be done, but I hope to be Oible to complete what I mapped 

 out within my specified time. From Washington I go to New York 

 State, and visit the famous Cornell University — which has the largest 

 and 'most successful Agricultural College in America — and the Geneva 

 Agricultural Experiment Station; then Massachusetts, to see the Agri- 

 cultural High Schools and the way in which vocational agriculture is 

 taught. From Massachusetts I shall proceed to Canada to examine 

 the work of the Canadian Department of Agriculture, the Ontario 

 Agricultural College, and the Maodonald Institute. From Guelph I 

 intend going to Chicago — the University of Wisconsin and the Minnesota 

 Agricultural College — the centres of wheat and barley breeding in the 

 States. Thence to the Winnipeg Agricultural College and the Cana- 

 dian prairies and Vancouver. 



The American people are facing war problems with great spirit 

 and quiet courage. Secretary Baker officially announced that there 

 were over half-a-million men in France ; but it is generally believed 

 that the number there now is not far from a million. President Wilson, 

 at the Metropolitan Theatre, in New York, last night, said that they 

 would not limit the army to 5,000,000 men, but would send as many 

 men as were wanted to achieve victory, and win the war " worthily." 

 The shipyards are turning out ships with extraordinary speed, and you 

 read of fresh launchings almost every day. Concrete ships, steel ships, 

 and wooden ships ai*e being turned out at Portland, (Seattle, San Fran- 

 cisco, Philadelphia, and a dozen other places. It was stated that one 

 shipyard alone will this year turn out as much shipping as was built in 

 one year by Great iBritain before the war. At every college I have 

 seen thousands of men (mostly college graduates) training for officers. 

 In Washington there are temjDorary structures, housing several thou- 

 sands, being built all over the open spaces of the district of Columbia. 

 In the West I saw but few soldiers in the streets and cafes, but in the 

 East they are to be seen everywhere. The Secret Service is doing good 

 service. One does not read of their activities in the press, but they 

 have had a difficult task in putting an end to pernicious propaganda 

 and by ferreting out nests of pro-Germanism. The Food Conservation 

 Administration has done fine work, and the co-operation of the people 

 and the press has been remarkable. The only disturbing feature has 

 been the delay in aeroplane construction; ugly rumours of graft have 

 been heard, and President Wilson has ordered a complete investigation 

 to be made by a Supreme Court Judge. 



Very little news is reported from Australia. The only two items 

 recorded recently, other than an occasional reference to the Anzacs on 

 the Amiens line, were the change of Government in Victoria, and the 

 arrival of Mr. Hughes, after an exciting adventure near Australia. 



