36 



but of strengthening the natural functions of egg production. 

 There are some things which may be forced but these are all crude 

 or mechanical. All the higher and finer products come by invitation. 

 This applies equally to the fruit or vegetable grower and the horti- 

 culturist as to the crop producer and feeder. 



Another important step which economy dictates is that of pro- 

 tecting stock, crops and fruit from myriad pests and diseases. 

 That this imposes severe obligations there is no question, but it 

 offers the only economic solution of the difficulty. Healthy animals, 

 plants and growing crops alone can return the largest yield and 

 finest quality. More sunlight and fresh air in the tie-ups will 

 retard the activity of disease germs, better prptection from flies 

 increase the flow of milk. Whatever destroys any portion of the 

 leaves on the growing plant or tree, destroys also its power to 

 reproduce in largest quantity or to mature to greatest perfection. 

 Thus the spray pump, the insecticide, the fungicide and bug 

 destroyer, the solution to prevent scab, and any and all agents 

 which, intelligently used, enable the plant or growing tree to com- 

 pletely mature its fruit or seed are absolutely necessar}' from a 

 purely economic stand-point. 



Rural life, while it insures fixedness of ideas and principles, 

 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 Agriculture 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 him- 

 self with every agency which can in any way promote his prosperity. 

 It is economy to avail oneself of the assistance of these agencies ; 

 it is waste to refuse. So long as these fill their sphere, stimulate 

 thought and arouse ambition, they are helpful in the extreme. 

 This is their mission. No industry can thrive to-day without its 

 representative publication. 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 

 finer products of 1901. By and through it alone can he keep touch 

 with moving currents of trade, watch over the changing markets 

 and have brought fresh to his door the work being accomplished 

 by the scientist and student. The bulletins and reports of the 

 Board constitute a library of agricultural 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 impor- 

 tance to the community has long been recognized as a potent factor 



