248 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



of farm life, alike from the social and the economic standpoints; 

 and the federal and state departments of agriculture should 

 co-operate at every point. 



The farm grows the raw material for the food and clothing of 

 all our citizens; it supports directly almost half of them; and 

 nearly half the children of the United States are born and brought 

 up on farms. How can the life of the farm family be made less 

 solitary, fuller of opportunity, freer from drudgery, more com- 

 fortable, happier, and more attractive ? Such a result is most 

 earnestly to be desired. How can life on the farm be kept on the 

 highest level, and where it is not already on that level, be so 

 improved, dignified, and brightened as to awaken and keep alive 

 the pride and loyalty of the farmer's boys and girls, of the farm- 

 er's wife, and of the farmer himself? How can a compelling 

 desire to live on the farm be aroused in the children that are born 

 on the farm ? All these questions are of vital importance, not 

 only to the farmer, but to the whole nation; and the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture must do its share in answering them. 



The drift toward the city is largely determined by the superior 

 social opportunities to be enjoyed there, by the greater vividness 

 and movement of city life. Considered from the point of view 

 of natural efficiency, the problem of the farm is as much a prob- 

 lem of attractiveness as it is a problem of prosperity. It has 

 ceased to be merely a problem of growing wheat and corn and 

 cattle. The problem of production has not ceased to be funda- 

 mental, but it is no longer final; just as learning to read and 

 write and cipher are fundamental, but are no longer the final 

 ends of education. We hope ultimately to double the average 

 yield of wheat and corn per acre ; it will be a great achievement ; 

 but it is even more important to double the desirability, comfort, 

 and standing of the farmer's life. 



We must consider, then, not merely how to produce, but also 

 how production affects the producer. In the past we have given 

 but scant attention to the social side of farm life. We should 



