No. 4.] FARM ECONOMICS. 373 



ing tree to completely mature its fruit or seed, are abso- 

 lutely necessary from a purely economic stand-point. 



Rural life, while it insures fixedness of ideas and princi- 

 ples, needs the friction of contact to vitalize into positive 

 action ; and this suggests the importance of the agricultural 

 press, the bulletin, the institute, work of the Board of Agri- 

 culture and the grange. It must be true that he who rises 

 to the fullest grasp of the situation confronting to-day 

 utilizes all possible helps, seeks all avenues of assistance. 

 So many conflicting agencies are at work that there is forced 

 upon the individual the imperative need of allying himself 

 with every agency which can in any way promote his pros- 

 perity. It is economy to avail one's self of the assistance 

 of these agencies ; it is waste to refuse. So long as these 

 till their sphere, stimulate thought and arouse ambition, they 

 are helpful in the extreme ; this is their mission. No in- 

 dustry can thrive to-day without its representative publica- 

 tion. A live farm paper, aggressive, fearless, outspoken 

 and sound, is a positive necessity in the home of every man 

 who would fill his place as a producer and salesman of the 

 products of the farm. By and through it alone can he keep 

 touch with moving currents of trade, watch over the chang- 

 ing markets, and have brought fresh to his door the work 

 being accomplished by the scientist and student. The bul- 

 letins and reports of the Board constitute a library of agri- 

 cultural thought, investigation and results too valuable to be 

 lost by any tiller of the soil. 



The institute for the discussion of live questions of vital 

 importance to the community has long been recognized as a 

 potent factor in every State, yet to be of greatest valjie it 

 must claim the attention and command the presence of every 

 man who tills a farm. Its province is the presentation of 

 Jive agricultural problems in a manner not to confirm past 

 practices but to stimulate thought and provoke discussion. 

 He who denies himself the privileges and benefits of the well- 

 conducted agricultural institute is a loser in the struggle of 



O Co 



to-day. The institute must be made of greater service, its 

 mission needs be more clearly defined and appreciated, its 

 discussions claim the attention of a wider circle. 



