20 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



such penal authority as to leave much latitude in the hands 

 of those charged with their administration, has afforded 

 some opportunity for progress under early enacted laws. 

 In the consideration of this question it cannot be expected 

 that we will discuss details to any great extent, for the 

 time will not allow it. We will endeavor only to set a few 

 landmarks along the pathway we would mark out for our- 

 self and our esteemed agricultural co-workers. 



The work of boards of agriculture may be classified as 

 legislative, administrative and educational, each of which is 

 susceptible of innumerable subdivisions penetrating the 

 various ramifications of politics, business and society. By 

 legislation we refer to the influence that should be exerted 

 upon legislative leaders in the enactment of just and whole- 

 some laws. We shall place this duty at the head of the 

 list, as perhaps the most important of any, but not the most 

 useful, for the reason that the position occupied by boards 

 of agriculture entitles them to a more respectful and con- 

 siderate hearing than is often accorded representatives of 

 private or individual interests. We do not wish to be 

 understood as advocating anything in the form of lobbying, 

 but simply the matter of appearing before committees in 

 behalf of the farmers when measures affecting the farmers' 

 interests are pending, and intelligently presenting the 

 claims of the agricultural interests. This will meet with 

 favor by all legislators who desire to act understanding^ 

 and with due regard to the interests of the State. We 

 would also have the interests of agriculture officially repre- 

 sented before the governor and executive council when 

 action is to be taken directly affecting those interests. We 

 would not advocate an effort to dictate the appointments 

 that are to be made for the purpose simply of getting 

 farmers appointed. We have no sympathy with that 

 statesmanship which consists in advocating the appointment 

 of farmers to positions simply because they are farmers. 

 We would advocate principles rather than men, and would 

 earnestly request the appointment of men representing 

 those principles. Much injury has been done the agri- 

 cultural cause in the past by demanding the recognition of 

 men simply because they were farmers, rather than by 



