106 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Second, they would insure a closer grade and pack and 

 clioicor quality. 



Third, they would educate consumers to the superiority 

 of fresh-grown farm products, and a critical selection of the 

 same. 



Fourth, tlijpy would bring producer and consumer face 

 to face and establish friendly relations. 



Fifth, they would increase consumption of the most health- 

 ful food known. 



Sixth, they would inevitably inspire, on the part of the 

 growers, a determination to improve in quality and increase 

 in quantity the crops thus sold. 



Seventh, they would lead to a specialization along lines 

 best adapted to the farm and most in demand in the market 

 place. 



It is true we have been soil robbers for nearly three hun- 

 dred years. It is true we have not considered the problem 

 of conservation of soil fertility. It is true that we could, by 

 a very simple process, raise the volume of protection per 

 acre or per animal. The marked illustrations standing so 

 boldly in the foreground attest the truth of all this. It is 

 also true that Xew England agriculture waits a stirring of 

 the waters which will result in a determined forward move- 

 ment. That day will come, that hour will strike, that enthu- 

 siasm for agriculture will be realized when growers of farm 

 products, the real producers of the wealth of the nation, stand 

 united to demand a fair share of the consumers' dollar, 

 prepared to guarantee the quality of every product sold. 

 Out of these scattered organizations will come larger, until 

 Greek will meet Greek ; the quickening imi)ulse born of hon- 

 est desire to excel will be felt on our hills and up and do%vn 

 our valleys, and the rejuvenation of New England farm 

 lands will become a certainty, with fertility conserved, crop 

 capacity increased, and prosperity insured to the honest 

 tillers of the soil. 



No discussion of this subject can be complete which in- 

 cludes only the financial issues. Complex as are these 

 there is a moral influence more far-reaching. It is not our 



