THE NEW AGRICULTURE. &t 



were picked out to be doctors, lawyers, statesmen, bankers, mer- 

 chants, etc., and those who were less brilliant were selected to 

 stay at home and help on the farm. Those designed for the city 

 were given special advantages, father and mother working overtime 

 and denying themselves to push forward the hopeful son or daughter. 

 In many cases the advantages were actually snatched away from 

 the less brilliant sons and given the brilliant. 



As time went on those who went to the city, in most cases made a 

 success and were the ones which contributed so largely to the 

 development of the industrial world. The surprising fact is that 

 the fathers and mothers were keenly disappointed to think their 

 city boys succeeded so well when the sons who remained at home 

 did nothing remarkable. It is another case of false standards of 

 education and a redirected education is reminding these farmers 

 and their wives that the best blood was sent to the city and that in 

 the future a part of it should be kept at home. The farmer who 

 has thoroughbred stock and who gives it extra advantages expects 

 more from it than from inferior stock which has been stinted and 

 poorly fed. So are they realizing that there is a variation in children 

 and a similar variation in advantages given them. Particularly in 

 the West where this redirected education along rural lines is so 

 marked, will be found examples of what rural life offers to young 

 men and women with brains. Some of the brightest sons are 

 remaining on the farm and the accomplished daughters are marry- 

 ing farmers. They have ideal homes fitted with all the conven- 

 iences and pleasure-giving appurtenances. These same sons are 

 banking more money annually than 90% of the people in our cities 

 today. They are driving automobiles, taking occasional trips in 

 neighboring states, and making the most of life. This is a re- 

 directed education. Have I said enough to convince you that there 

 is a strong movement toward a redirected education which in turn 

 means a new agriculture. 



The second phase of the subject is What significance this new 

 agriculture has to New England. In a word it means the realiza- 

 tion and appreciation of New England resources; also the suprem- 

 acy of optimism as opposed to conservatism. This one matter of 

 Xew England's resources is broad enough to include an address of 

 double the time allotted the speaker. If time permitted I would 



