tises and existing knowledge, has reached the point of diminishing re- 

 turns. It has become a serious question whether large-scale agronomic 

 farming, as hitherto practised, is likely to be as successful in the future 

 on certain acres of our land as it has been in the past fifty years. Re- 

 duction of fertility, increase of population, changes in economic rela- 

 tions of agricultural groups and classes, as well as other influences, are 

 factors in deciding on this point. Our beef-raising industry has 

 changed geographically and economically as well as in many of its 

 practises. Areas that a few years ago were largely devoted to suc- 

 cessful cattle breeding are no longer suitable for that purpose. Old 

 farming practises whether in large-scale or small-scale agriculture, are 

 changing and will undoubtedly change more. We must find answers 

 to such questions as these : 



How can farming be made to pay, especially in those parts of the 

 country where the value of farm land has largely risen ? 



What attitude shall the community take towards the increase in 

 tenant farming? 



Can anything be done to restore cattle production on a large 

 scale in states like Illinois, which have lost their preeminence in that 

 industry? 



What effect is the growth of cities having on the size and char- 

 acter of nearby farms? 



How can we insure the permanent retention of the fertility of 

 the soil ? 



Is there any system which might be adopted whereby the adapta- 

 tion of different crops to different soils may be more accurately de- 

 termined, and the use of proper crops on soils be insured ? 



What can be done to preserve the country home ? 



Aside from these questions affecting permanent policy, we should 

 find a method soon of relieving the present pressure on the farmer. 

 Agricultural finance is one of the pressing problems of the day. 



While the topics referred to in the preceding paragraph, and 

 many others of like character that will suggest themselves to the 

 reader may be asked with reference to the country as a whole, it is 

 peculiarly our duty in Illinois to ask them with reference to Illinois 

 agriculture. It is fitting, too, that the question should be discussed 

 at the seat of the College of Agriculture and the State Experiment 

 Statiop which the people have established to aid them in the solution 

 of these and similar live problems. For that reason, after conference 



