THE NEW AGRICULTURE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE 

 TO NEW ENGLAND. 



BY G. C. SEVEY, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 



Delivered before the Society, February 19, 1910. 



Today this subject is one being approached from many view 

 points since its resourcefulness attracts the layman and the skilled 

 public speaker alike. At the outset please understand I shall 

 make no pretense to beautifully rounded sentences that sparkle 

 with historic references, nor shall I attempt to please through 

 humorous anecdotes, carefully arranged climaxes, or happy figures 

 of speech. However, I have a message which I wish to deliver and 

 it is to be given in the most simple, direct way, without frills or 

 flourishes. My arguments are based on a rather extensive field of 

 observation and knowledge of rural life that comes through practi- 

 cal experience and hard knocks with which a farmer's boy without 

 funds is so fortunate as to face in his competitive battle for success 

 and usefulness. Thus severing any impression of blue-blooded 

 aristocracy and trusting you will understand this personal reference, 

 I want to consider with you some phases of this new agriculture 

 of the 20th century and its significance to New England. 



Now what is this new agriculture? The equation constitutes 

 so many factors that to answer the question in a single sentence is 

 well-nigh impossible. But for the lack of a better summary I will 

 say that the happy combination of science and practice, plus a 

 redirected education equals this new agriculture. It is a matter 

 of common knowledge that in the early days the science of agri- 

 culture was little understood. Farmers sowed their crops and 

 were confident of a harvest. Yet the why and the whyfor of this 

 and that condition were not understood, if indeed they were even 

 given a thought. 



Later, the Yankee characteristic to know the reason why de- 

 veloped a dissatisfied condition of mind and questions were asked 



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