THE BIRTH OF AGRICULTURE 9 



to fanners, but is actually the subject of much encouragement 

 and direct support by the Hungarian Government in the shape 

 of grants in aid to such co-operative undertakings 



Briefly, Hungary fosters in every conceivable manner the 

 greatest of all human industries, and that she shows her wisdom 

 in this is vouched for by the collective prosperity of her people 

 and the magnificent physique of her sons and daughters, for, 

 travel throughout the length and breadtli of Europe, you will 

 hardly encounter so line a race as you meet with in the Magyars, 

 and among the Croats and Slavs of the Hungarian plains. 



Great Britain stands alone! 



Many other instances of the fostering care of Governments, 

 and the jealous regard of the people, might be cited in favour 

 of the universal esteem in which the agricultural industry is 

 held in the civilised States of modern times, but it would serve 

 no purpose were we to multiply the examples. Every country 

 in the world wisely conserves and jealously guards the greatest 

 asset in the national life, and this fact is universally known and 

 recognised — save in Great Britain ! 



The land, then, is the people's heritage, the summicni bonum 

 of their existence, and the aphelion of their earthly ambitions. 

 There are manufactures and mining industries, overseas com- 

 merce, and internal trade ; there are professions and occupations 

 of various kinds which claim the time and attention of millions ; 

 but the vast majority of the human race are, after all, either 

 employed by, or interested in, or connected with, the land in 

 some manner or another — directly or indirectly — and this being 

 so, the land industry and all tliat it involves is to-day, and 

 must always be, the most important employment-giving and 

 wealth-producing agency of every country m the world, civilised 

 or uncivilised. 



Peaceful Eivalry in Agriculture 



In respect to other industries there may be, and there is, 

 a diversity of ambitions, keen competition, bitter rivalry and 

 clashing of interests ; man vies witli man and nation with 

 nation, and not infrequently has " trade " been the means of 

 provoking bloody conflicts between two countries whose com- 

 mercial interests clashed one with the other ; but so far as 

 agriculture is concerned there are identical aims, common 

 desires, and community of interests in every country on the 

 habitable globe. 



Each country looks after its own agricultural industry, and 



