A! DRESSES 



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Farmers' Institutes' ana s'cliobls are working wonders in the way net only 

 of education, but in exchange of ideas and a closer relation of friendship between 

 our citizens. The state law authorizes four institutes to each county. They have 

 been so useful and popular that counties are wanting more and many counties 

 have independent institutes. 



The State Board of Agriculture has been pushing work on the Serum 

 Farm, and in another year expects to be in position to handle the output of 

 serum to the satisfaction of the farmers. From the good work the serum has 

 done in the past, we have no doubt but that hog cholera will be so much lessened 

 that the breeders and dealers will have little fear of this plague. They will know 

 that a proper treatment with serum will make the pigs immune. Dr. Fischer, 

 State Veterinarian, has t-he serum proposition in charge. He understands his 

 occupation thoroughly. There is no harder student than he, and no veterinarian 

 his superior. 



Fertilizer inspection has been satisfactory during the past year. The Nursery 

 and Orchard Division has been doing good work. The Live Stock Division 

 in fact all divisions of the State Board of Agriculture are doing a good work. 



The farmer is the bone, sinew and muscle of the country. Agriculture as 

 a profession is the most useful of all the professions. As a class, the farmers 

 are the most independent and as a rule enjoy life mo3t. When it comes to an 

 election on important questions, the rural districts are generally on the right 

 side and often turn the tide for the betterment of the country. The agriculturist 

 is on top. He has learned the lesson of his position and learned it well. He 

 has gained in knowledge of soil fertility and rotation of crops and in the breed- 

 ing and care of stock until today the farmer is, indeed, to be envied. Our soil, 

 with the knowledge we are gaining and putting into practice, will support our 

 growing population. Let us keep abreast of the times and improve our chances. 



The lessons that we may learn by a careful study of such institutions as 

 the Ohio State University, the Ohio Experiment Station, the Ohio State Fair, 

 the county fair, as well as other useful state institutions, will be very useful to 

 us all. We should lend our aid to all institutions connected with agriculture. 

 We should boom Ohio ; boom agriculture ; boom your State Fair and other agri- 

 cultural industries. While we are gaining knowledge in our vocations on the 

 farm and putting our knowledge into practice by raising better crops, better 

 stock and by improving our condition in many ways, we must not forget the 

 importan part of farm life our x homes. Our good wives, who make our homes 

 pleasant, must be thought of, cared for and appreciated. They are interested. 

 To them we may largely credit our success. Let us make our homes what they 

 should be in doing our duty by our families, who, as a rule, will prefer the 

 country to the city. Let us remember the old saying, "Woman's work is never 

 done." We can materially lessen their labors by appreciating their service with 

 help and kindness, and with beautifying home and its surroundings. 



THE IMPROVEMENT OF FARM LIFE. 



BY PRESIDENT CHARLES WILLIAM DABXEY, 

 I 'ni'i'crsity of Cincinnati. 



This is not to be a sermon, although I shall take as a text these words of 

 the "Father of his Country" : 



"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important service can be 

 rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture." 



