70 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 



the emphasis has been too much on the work and not enough on the 

 student as a man and a future citizen ; too much stress on material 

 success, too little on his obligations to society and the state ; in short, 

 too much on selfish aims and not enough on service. For it always 

 has been, still is, and will continue to be one of the verities of life, 

 that it matters not if a man gain the whole world, if he be lacking 

 in some of these attributes of character he fails of success. It is not 

 by what we have or acquire in a material way, nor yet by our intel- 

 lectual attainments, but by what manner of men we are, that we be 

 judged. And in this country of ours, under this form of government, 

 which holds so much of promise for mankind, but is as yet in the 

 experimental stage, our ideals and character as a people are vital. 



In retrospect, I see the College of Agriculture, like the farmer, 

 with its attention focused mainly and largely on production. In 

 prospect, I see it with a wider outlook on the business, grappling 

 with the other sides of farming, sifting them to the bottom, winnowing 

 out their underlying principles and instilling them into the minds 

 of the young men who come here to be informed on this subject, and 

 from whose ranks we shall draw leaders, well trained and grounded 

 in these principles, to carry forward the cause of agriculture, serve it, 

 and ably represent it. It is not enough for the state to teach a man 

 how to produce ; it must teach him how to protect what he produces. 



Twenty years ago when the then new Agricultural Building was 

 completed, it was dedicated to "Agriculture, The Master Science"; 

 and across its front it bears this inscription, "The wealth of Illinois 

 is in her soils and her safety lies in their intelligent development." 

 At that time, nothing could have been more fitting or appropriate, and 

 the development of the scientific side of agriculture has borne fruits 

 of inestimable value. This work, of course, must go on ; but were 

 it for me to say what should be the dedication of the College for the 

 next twenty years, I should say "Agriculture, our Greatest Business," 

 and I would paraphrase the inscription the present building bears, as 

 follows: "The wealth of Illinois is in her young men and women, 

 and her safety lies in their intelligent development." 



To the business of agriculture then and the men who are going 

 to transact it and represent it, would I direct your attention. In- 

 stead of doubting if this prospect can be realized, I am full of hope 

 that it will be and with confidence await what lies ahead. 



