power and influence in the sayings and doings 

 f representative bodies of men assembled to- 

 gether "with one accord in one place." These 

 meetings may discuss general topics, or, on oc- 

 casion, special topics on which it is desirable to 

 collect information or to stimulate and express 

 public opinion. Second, by publishing its trans- 

 actions, it will not be necessary to infringe on 

 the province of national or state associations, 

 but by presenting in a cheap yet permanent 

 form the addresses and other actions of the an- 

 nual meetings, a good which it is difficult to fully 

 estimate, may be done in a series of years. As 

 an illustration I need only refer to the addresses 

 at the present meeting. It is not mere boasting 

 to say that in no other way can an equally good 

 knowledge of the history, progress and present 

 position of our agriculture as a whole, and espe- 

 cially in some of its great specialties, be so read- 

 ily and conveniently obtained as by a careful 

 reading of what has been spoken during this 

 meeting. Third, I name special investigations 

 by commissions or individual members. This 

 branch would not be prominent in the near fu- 

 ture perhaps, but it might ultimately become 

 important and effective. It is not probable the 

 association would ever find it advisable to as- 

 sume the management of agricultural exhibi- 

 tions. In each of the ways named, the Congress 

 can exert a healthful and important influence in 

 increasing our store of information, in stimula- 

 ting interest, and in forming and concentrating 

 public opinion on matters requiring action, leg- 

 islative or individual. 



As most nearly representing my ideal of the 

 future of this Congress, I would name some of 

 our national associations of a scientific nature. 

 As in them, so in this, I would have a division 

 into sections for the more careful consideration 

 of a variety of topics for which there might not 

 be time nor opportunity before the general body. 



That the work proposed may be done effect- 

 ively, the Congress needs an increased member- 

 ship. It now relies, and I hope always will rely, 

 for its funds solely on voluntary membership 

 fees. It asks the aid in this way of all friends of 

 agriculture ; and I believe this is the only aid 

 for which it should ask ; believing as I do that 

 there is place and room and need for the associa- 

 tion ; believing as I do that it may have a pros- 

 perous arid useful career, I look to those inter- 

 ested in agriculture for its support. It seems to 

 me we have now reached a position from whioh 

 we may ask this support, feeling that the Con- 

 gress is able to give a full return for all it will 

 receive. 



The leading obstacles to success, as it seems to 

 me, are three. First, the very magnitude of the 

 work proposed and the wide field sought to be 

 covered. As a rule, our successful associations 

 connected with agriculture have had a special 

 object, devoting themselves to the advancement 

 of a specialty. The American Pomological So- 



ciety, which has done a great work and won a 

 deservedly high position; the American, North- 

 western and various state dairy associations 

 which have been so largely instrumental in the 

 rapid advancement of the dairy interests of 

 America, may be named as cases in point. This 

 is a real difficulty and to prevent the injurious 

 effects of it will require wise and prudent man- 

 agement. The second great obstacle to success 

 is of kindred nature and is found in the vast ex- 

 tent of our country, making it costly in time and 

 money for many who may be interested to at- 

 tend the meetings of the Congress. This may be 

 met in part by having the meetings held in dif- 

 ferent portions of the country, and is also partly 

 met by the delegate as well as by personal mem- 

 bership which has been provided. By this, the 

 presence of even a single representative may 

 give expression and emphasis to the views of 

 the members of a large society or the mass of 

 farmers in even an entire state. The third ob- 

 stacle to popularity is one which, if human na- 

 ture were perfect, need not be named. It is 

 found in the.fact that the association makes no 

 direct appeal to purely selfish motives. It docs 

 not promise immediate, direct and specified pe- 

 cuniary advantage to its members. It offers uo 

 high salaries to induce men to become its lead- 

 ers. It is not probable that it will try to advau ;e 

 the political aspirations of its members. It offers 

 little in the way of fame to those who work with 

 it. Its hopes and expectations are rather that, 

 quietly, perhaps slowly, it may exert an import- 

 ant influence in advancing and developing the 

 agricultural interests of the whole country, do- 

 ing most for those regions and these individuals 

 who will most earnestly and effectively work 

 with it. 



In the near future our American agriculture 

 must take a higher position. In no other coun- 

 try has it advanced more rapidly, and in no other 

 has it given greater returns to those engaged in 

 it; but with advancing civilization, increasing 

 population and rapidly growing competition, the 

 mass of farmers must learn to rely more ou 

 mind than on muscle; to give more importance 

 to knowledge than to mere physical strength ; 

 must grow to rely on themselves and not on leg- 

 islation, and look for their profits to their farm 

 products and not to increase in the selling price of 

 their land. I look forward with hope to a higher 

 intelligence, more wisely directed industry and 

 a purer integrity among all farmers as the great 

 means by which the difficulties and obstacles in 

 the way of the general prosperity of the clans 

 may be overcome. I look forward to the time 

 when the farmers of all sections of the country, 

 knowing each other better shall respect each 

 other more, and work together more harmoni- 

 ously and intelligently, and, hence, more effi- 

 ciently advance their common prosperity. 



In all this, if it be wisely managed, the National 

 Agricultural Congress may do much. It is 

 young, but it has reached a position of which 

 we have no need to be ashamed. We who are 

 here may make this Centennial year the starting 

 point of a career of vastly increased usefulness 

 for this association which has called us together, 

 and give it an impulse that shall cause it to be 

 still young and vigorous at the second centen- 

 nial of our country. 



