No. 4.] EVOLUTIO>f OF AGRICULTURE. 243 



of farming are being improved, thanks to the knowledge 

 furnished by the experiment stations in nearly every State 

 of the Union ; and our agricultural colleges are proving large 

 factors in raising agriculture to the dignified position where 

 of right it belongs, and rendering popular and practical the 

 knowledge which should go with such an important, world- 

 wide industry. Much is also due our central government 

 for its increasing interest in agriculture and for its dissemi- 

 nation of knowledge among the people. 



To-day our nation stands in the front rank of the great 

 food -producing countries of the world. When shortage of 

 crops occurs in other lands they look to us for a supply, 

 which we are always ready to meet for their benefit and our 

 enrichment. 



But, with all our wealth of land, our farmers are not quite 

 contented, Avhich fact no doubt arises from the reason that 

 wealth on the farm is not produced as rapidly as in mer- 

 cantile or commercial pursuits ; and yet we hear of far less 

 failures among the farming community than among those of 

 any other calling. This fact alone ought to reconcile the 

 farmer to his slower but surer method of acquiring wealth. 



The evolution of agriculture in the oriental world has been 

 slow, where the antiquated methods of the ages still prevail, 

 but for the western world nothing but progress will satisfy 

 the requirements of the present or the future. Science, ever 

 alert to meet the demands of changed conditions, has come 

 to the farmer's aid as never before, and will continue to be a 

 mighty factor in the future methods of farming. This fact 

 moves us to remark that before the next century has far 

 advanced every farmer worthy of the name will come to know 

 the composition of his own soil in every detail and its adapt- 

 ability for producing crops. He will see the wisdom of care- 

 fully studying the best method of producing home-made 

 fertilizers, and their proper application. He will be alert 

 and meet the first approach of new pests, and be ready to 

 destroy them before they are allowed to gain a foothold ; he 

 will study the nature and causes of crop blights, and be ready 

 to apply the needed remedy ; he will also learn the wisdom 

 of protecting insect-destroying birds, and encourage their 

 increase in every practical way. In the coming future there 



