1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 321 



correct list of such men each year, and file it with the secre- 

 tary of this Board, who should issue the postal cards, and 

 to whom they should be returnable. 



As to the expense of voting by postal card, that can prob- 

 ably be arranged at a cost of not over $300 a year. If the 

 State can furnish ballot-boxes and ballots for each precinct 

 every year, I do not think it would object to expending a 

 reasonable sum for a proper ballot for representatives to this 

 Board. 



Must Eeach the Practical Farmer. 



We must reach out and take hold of the practical farmer 

 in some way, and make him feel that he is a part of the 

 agricultural machinery of the State, and has a voice in its 

 management, if we would encourage and stimulate him in 

 his work. It may be said that, if he has not sufficient in- 

 terest to join an agricultural society and attend its meetings, 

 he is of so little account that the State should not specially 

 recognize him. But section 10 of the law establishing: this 

 Board implies that it is created for educational purposes; 

 and, that being the case, we should strive to help the very 

 class for whom it was created, — the husbandman, — whether 

 he desires it or not. 



I believe this method of voting by postal card is perfectly 

 feasible, and would elicit the interest of all the farmers of the 

 State, and a Board elected in this way would truly represent 

 all their interests. 



Then, what an advantage such a list of certified farmers 

 would be to the secretary. He would be in constant touch 

 with all the farmers of the State ; and if at any time it 

 seemed necessary to issue a special bulletin, he could reach 

 them all in twenty-four hours. As to the other features 

 suggested, they no doubt will appeal to your good sense, 

 because they are in the line of economy, and will not lessen 

 the efficiency of the Board. 



how shall we broaden and improve the work of the 



Societies ? 

 The holding of cattle shows is not the whole work of an 

 agricultural society, although many people think so, and the 

 State law even is based on that idea, for it does not allow the 



