89 



farmer as for the farmers wife. We now realize that our Domestic Science 

 Department is the better half of our organization. The women deserve 

 all we can give them. 



A word should be said regarding the devotion of institute officers and 

 speakers. The Farmers Institute is a public service institution. Its only 

 motive is to render service to give service to the most humble farmer 

 and the farmer's wife; and those who bear its burdens must be imbued 

 with the spirit of rendering service. It is true that some who give much 

 time receive some compensation, but such compensation is small compared 

 to the sacrifice that must commonly be made. Those who have tried to 

 use the Institute for personal gain, or private ambition, have realized their 

 delusion and soon dropped out. Those who are steadfast to their prin- 

 ciples in rendering service will continue to be familiar names in county 

 and state institutes. 



WHAT OF THE FUTURE? 



We should not be depressed because the problems of distribution, made 

 acute temporarily by the breakdown in the world machinery of finance 

 and transportation, must be given immediate attention. The acute stage 

 of these problems will no doubt be soon solved, while adequate food pro- 

 duction will remain a world problem. Who knows how soon it may become 

 a pressing problem in this country? We have already drawn out of the 

 soils of the United States about one-half the virgin fertility, and under 

 excessive soil stimulation we are still reaping abundantly. It may not 

 be long until the demand will come for the American farmer to try to 

 produce more abundantly than ever before. Large areas of land are now 

 within a step .of abandonment, made so by the various methods of rapid 

 exhaustion. This state must take the lead in promulgating the principles 

 of permanent agriculture, and the Institute must continue to* do its share 

 in this great work; and there is much to be done. 



The Institute has recognized that in the home life of people there may 

 come inspiration for a higher development and more worthy achievements. 

 The Institute is committed to the cause of home building, and there is 

 much work ahead for it in this line. 



The Institute also recognizes the value of true education in lifting 

 people out of the mire of ignorance and crime, and in the future it will 

 continue to do all it can towards developing better schools for all classes. 



I have heard it said that the Farmers Institute had about reached the 

 end of its needs; that its work was about done. How can this be, when 

 so much remains to be done along the lines it is working? The work of 

 the Farmers Institute is hardly begun. As long as there is need for a 

 permanent agriculture; as long as there is need for better crops; as long 

 as there is need for improved homes; as long as there is need for more 

 efficient schools, there will be work for the Farmers Institute; and as long 

 as the Farmers Institute continues to render unselfish service and to per- 

 form its proper functions, just so long will the Institute live and prosper. 

 And may its end never come. 



I thank you. [Applause.] 



PRESIDENT MANN: Tomorrow evening at seven o'clock the Mon- 

 mouth High School Band will begin a program of music. Our regular 

 program will begin at 7:30. We stand adjourned. 



THURSDAY MORNING SESSION. 



February 23, 1922, 9 o'clock A. M. 



Male Quartette Monmouth Glee Club 



Invocation Rev. W. H. Craine 



Vocal Duet Doris and Dorothy Sites 



PRESIDENT MANN: We will have first this morning "Swine Disease 

 Control" by Dr. Jas. A. McDonald of the Department of Agriculture, at 

 Washington. 



