1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 355 



the future. We would by no means discourage the acquire- 

 ment of small homesteads. The ownership of a farm is 

 conducive to good citizenship, and we would that every 

 man, whatever his calling, might own the home that shelters 

 his family ; yet we believe that in the future the most success- 

 ful farming of our State will be upon farms larger than the 

 average. The products of these farms must depend largely 

 upon circumstances and conditions of a local nature. Char- 

 acter of soil, demands of the local market, the taste of the 

 farmer, should all be consulted. Then we must remember 

 that the larger the business the broader and more compre- 

 hensive must be the ability of the manager. Science has 

 already taken the place of luck and chance in the manage- 

 ment of agricultural operations. 



Our fathers often considered the phases of the moon, but 

 the farmer of the future will note the conclusions of our 

 experiment stations and the warnings of the weather bureau. 

 His eflbrts must be special rather than general. The suc- 

 cessful farmer will be a specialist, and will need a thorough 

 training in the branch he undertakes. Our State is placing 

 golden opportunities within the reach of every boy who has 

 a taste for agriculture. All that is required on his part, to 

 fit him for the highest position in his calling, is ambition, 

 perseverance and industry. One who has the scientific 

 training of the schools, combined with experience in the field 

 and on the farm, will always be sought after. The demand 

 for such men already exceeds the supply. The field is 

 broad. Capital stands waiting for a directing hand. It 

 has been said, with truth, that a president for a railway 

 corporation, or a captain for a large ship, can be more readily 

 found than a man capable of the management of a large 

 farming estate. We believe that the boys who will help 

 supply this demand are already in our schools. It is not 

 the part of wisdom for the Massachusetts farmer to despair, 

 or sit down in idleness because the products of other sec- 

 tions are sold in his local market. He should bestir himself 

 at once to produce a better article, or endeavor to supply 

 the demand at a less price than it can be obtained from 

 abroad. Most of the land of our State can be made avail- 

 able for the production of something needed by our own 



