1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 205 



to use to the best advantage all those powers of nature, 

 which by their subtle influence bring to perfection the 

 golden corn, the rosy butter ; that cause the orchards and 

 vineyards of our thousand hills to glow with their luscious 

 harvest. 



This is fact, and not fancy. We have to go back but 

 one hundred years in our history, to see how we have 

 grown up and thriven together, — agriculture, manufactures, 

 commerce and mining, — the four material departments of 

 human industry, agriculture the only one upon which all 

 others depend; while the learned professions, so called, and 

 the scientists, are bringing the sheaves of their industry into 

 the common garner. 



Now, the point I would make is that we do want laws for 

 agriculture, but we do not want laws for farmers that will in 

 any way interfere with the rights of other classes. We 

 demand only what properly belongs to the interests of 

 agriculture in the great body politic of which we are mem- 

 bers, and of which interests we should be more cognizant 

 and better informed than other classes ; yet not so narrow in 

 our vision as to be able to see only our little hatchet, which 

 we would like to grind, if we can find some other fellow to 

 " turn the grindstone." 



It cannot be expected that I should discuss minutely these 

 questions about agricultural legislation, but I would justify all 

 means used by the national or State governments to promote 

 education in agriculture by the way of fairs, institutes, boards 

 of agriculture, agricultural schools and colleges, and experi- 

 ment stations. These are not alone to educate the farmer 

 and his family, — they are for the whole community. The 

 agricultural schools and colleges draw their pupils from the 

 city as well as the farm ; and, while some go to the form, 

 others go to the shop, and carry with them that knowledge, 

 wherever held, that is to be the means of elevating and bless- 

 ing the world. 



The burning question is now about fraud in dairy products 

 — oleomargarine — and in lard, where cotton-seed oil comes 

 in to extend the product. 



It becomes the farmer, knowing the facts, how this fraud 

 interferes with legitimate industry, to publish it, and ask for 



