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tion practically without limit. It cannot be done, however, if we neglect 

 these resources. This, then, is the paramount problem and the supreme 

 duty alike of nation and of state. I rejoice to see your society, your 

 organization and other organizations devoting themselves to the remaining 

 phase of this problem. Science has discovered all the principles of fertiliza- 

 tion and tillage. The truths of agriculture are known to the scientists 

 and they mu^t be made known to the farmer. Our light is of little aid 

 if it remains under a bushel. The man who tills the soil, the man who 

 farms the farm, must be made conversant with these principles, not only 

 that they must be induced to apply these principles to practical farming, 

 they must not only be taught — they have been taught — that brains mix 

 with the soil' better than bone dust; but that intelligence is as essential 

 to successful farming as is the sunshine. But it is our concern, it is the 

 concern of the country, it is the concern of the city, to see that these 

 principles are mingled with the soil itself. The duty devolves upon 

 the state, upon the Federal Government to disseminate the truths and 

 principles of scientific agriculture, to induce their practical application. 



It is fortunate that societies of this kind are formed to reinforce the 

 activities of the state and of the general government. A bill is now pend- 

 ing* before the Committee on Agriculture which I hope to see reported 

 on Tuesday next, providing for farm extension and for farm demonstra- 

 tion work in every state in the union. This work is to be carried on in 

 conjunction with our agricultural colleges, the purpose being to carry 

 these principles to the individual farmer and to stimulate their adoption 

 and their use by the individual farmer. 



Societies of this kind can do a great deal to overcome prejudice where 

 prejudice exists and to overcome suspicion where suspicion exists. Your 

 organization ought to bring about a closer understanding and co-operation 

 between the cities and the country with a common purpose in view. 

 You should co-operate with the farmers, not as patron with dependent, 

 not as master with student, but as common citizens and co-laborers, ani- 

 mated by a common purpose addressed to a common object, inspiring a 

 feeling of fraternity, of fellowship, of mutual trust and co-operation, that 

 neither one nor the other is attempting to become or is attempting to prey 

 upon his fellow, but is attempting to serve his fellow. The greatest obli- 

 gation which any man owes to his fellow, or unto society itself, is the 

 obligation of service. 



Now, there are several ways in which I hope to see the Committee 

 on Agriculture of the Senate become more serviceable in the future than 

 in the past to the farm and farmer of the United States. We ought to 

 have in this country a system of farm credits suited to the conditions of 

 our country and to the needs of our farms. - Farm credit systems have 

 grown up in the several countries of the old world, in Germany, in France, 

 in Italy; and such systems are now being installed in England, Scot- 



* This bill (the Lever Bill) has since been passed and signed by the President. 



