possibility of developing them depends to a great extent on the 

 animals themselves. We are making progress with the dairy 

 cow and with special kinds of animals ; but I am convinced 

 that we need to give new and greater attention to the general 

 live-stock interest of the State, not only for the profit that may 

 come from the stock itself, but also that we may develop better 

 forms of diversified agriculture and maintain the fertility of our 

 lands. As our fundamental crop is by nature grass, so must 

 a highly developed animal husbandry be a necessary part of our 

 agriculture. We must develop such crops and such plans of 

 farm management as will enable us to feed our live-stock prof- 

 itably. We have lost our supremacy in sheep. In 1850, there 

 were about three and a half million sheep in New York. There 

 has been a continuing and marked decline in the number, until 

 in 1900 we had less than one million; and yet we have all the 

 natural conditions for a good sheep husbandry. The rearing 

 of horses should be an important part of our farm business. 

 We need more swine and more beef cattle. Not only this, but 

 our poultry and dairy interests need increased attention. It 

 must not be forgotten that in developing these great agri- 

 cultural interests, we are also providing the very best means of 

 educating students through the knowledge that we gain ; and 

 to educate young men and women by means of the common 

 affairs of country life, is the primary object of this College of 

 Agriculture. 



Another great cropping interest that needs to be developed 

 is the forests. Timber is as much a crop as corn or potatoes. 

 It should be planted, cared for, and harvested. It is one 

 of the greatest crops of this State. In the last census year, 



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