a feeling of considerable responsibility for such a campaign in 

 New York, and this leads me to give expression to my point of 

 view on several large questions concerning the agricultural 

 betterment of the State. 



A successful campaign must come as the result of the federa- 

 tion or working together of all country life agencies within the 

 State. We already have the beginnings of enough institutions 

 and of sufficient forces to reconstruct our rural civilization if 

 only they are well supported and if they cooperate genuinely 

 for the general good. This cooperation can come about in such 

 a way as not to interfere with the essential autonomy of any 

 institution or organization, while at the same time tying them 

 all together into one broad and common effort. 



On the side of voluntary societies, we have the Patrons of 

 Husbandry, strongly organized and progressive. There are 

 state and district organizations expressive of certain industries 

 or interests. The old State Agricultural Society, still in 

 nominal existence, should now be reorganized and set to work 

 as a general campaign association, knitting together many 

 diverse and scattered efforts, and helping to rouse the entire 

 people. 



Many other voluntary agencies are interested in country 

 life. Some of these are country ward extensions of town 

 organizations, as the travelling libraries, the county work of 

 the Young Men's Christian Association, work of the women's 

 clubs. Churches, fraternal societies, business men's organiza- 

 tions, civic associations, village improvement societies and 

 others, touch the open country at vital points. 



