372 THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 



an astonishing volume of production have our farmers at- 

 tained, that in the course of every twenty-four months they 

 reap from their soil a greater value than has been dug from 

 all the gold mines of the world since the first white man set 

 foot upon the western hemisphere. With the farm values of 

 the country registering with every sunset an increase of 

 $3,400,000 and the volume of farm products advancing by 

 leaps and bounds, it is predicted that within three years the 

 farming element, about 35 per cent, of the population, will 

 have produced an amount of wealth for the decade equal to 

 one-half of the entire national wealth produced in three cen- 

 turies. 



It is an unfortunate fact that in dealing with vast aggre- 

 gates the average individual man feels himself belittled and 

 that he has and can have no influence upon the mighty move- 

 ment that no specific profit comes to him from it that he 

 has no personal interest in it. While this feeling is too often 

 strictly in accordance with the facts, it is not so in regard to 

 the new agriculture. In order that the Department might 

 carry on its work upon all soils and under all suns, and that 

 it might come into the closest touch with all the people, ex- 

 periment stations have been established in every State and 

 Territory under the flag. In every way it is sought to bring 

 the scientists and the farmers into the most friendly and 

 confidential relations. There is not a question arising in any 

 farmer's mind upon which he would like to have advice and 

 expert opinion, but that he may get what he wants at the cost 

 of a postage stamp. From how best to plant trees for protec- 

 tion or timber, to an inquiry concerning the most minute 

 insect which he has found doing damage to his plants, the 

 humblest farmer or farm hand may obtain the information he 

 desires. I think I shall not soon forget a notice printed con- 

 spicuously upon the front cover of a bulletin of one of the 



