n6 THE FARMER AND THE NEW DAY 



Agriculture is by far the greatest piece of government 

 machinery in the world for gathering and distributing 

 information about agricultural subjects. The Depart- 

 ment, together with the experiment stations in each 

 state, constitutes a remarkable group of investigational 

 institutions. It is doubtful if farmers realize or ap- 

 preciate the extent to which public money is now de- 

 voted to the three great methods of agricultural educa- 

 tion scientific investigation, the training of leaders 

 and specialists, and the widespread dissemination of in- 

 formation. 



But we have not yet solved the problem. A number 

 of matters ought to be met at once if we are to adapt 

 our system of agricultural education to the New Day. 



It is highly important that in every state the logical 

 distinction in work between a board, department or 

 commissioner of agriculture, and the colleges and 

 schools of agriculture, should be recognized and acted 

 upon. The principle of division is perfectly clear. 

 The real work of a board or department of agriculture 

 is administrative; that is to say, it enforces laws pro- 

 tecting the farmer or possibly laws regulating his busi- 

 ness. It administers the police powers of the state in- 

 sofar as they are directed toward agriculture. If there 

 is a piece of land development to take place under the 

 authority of the state, its administration should go to 

 the department of agriculture. Whenever the state, 

 through the legislature, attempts to assist the agricul- 

 tural interests, the administration of those laws belongs 

 to the department of agriculture. 



On the other hand, the work of the agricultural col- 

 leges and schools is educational. All effort to make 

 thorough-going investigations in any field, whether con- 

 cerned with the soil or with distribution of products or 



