No. 4.] NEW EMJLANI) ACJKICULTURK. 97 



query has no force ; but as T ride over these granite States 

 I see thousands, yes, hundreds of thousands of acres growing 

 scrubby })ines or small oaks, which sliould be supplying the 

 mouths of our artisans and mechanics. The stor}^ may be 

 read all over New England, and it is one to Avhicli thoughtful 

 attention must be given. 



The man who lives nearest the home market is the one to 

 cultivate that market with greatest profit to himself. No 

 State in all the Union offers such advantages to the truck 

 farmer, who utilizes the experience of the past in lighting 

 the path of the future, as Massachusetts. 



You cannot annihilate sjiace, you cannot take from the 

 near-by grower the possible superiority of his fresh product. 

 These two factors have been ignored, and these light soils, 

 warm, responsive, earl}^, neglected, may be, yes, some time 

 will be, made to feed the multitude with small fruits and 

 vegetables. Are these simply assertions without foundation ? 



New England agriculture in the future is to be concerned, 

 first of all, in feeding its own rapidly growing population ; 

 developing its own resources out of its own richer, fresher 

 finished products; and turning to other sections for what 

 can be produced there at less cost than here. 



Had I time, I might extend these illustrations over all the 

 field of crop and stock production. They suggest a thought 

 which I would press home upon the attention, not only of 

 the representatives of agricultural societies present, but, 

 through you, upon the mind of every farmer who is seeking 

 a larofer harvest and more substantial returns. The auri- 

 culture of the future must keep pace with other industries, 

 the wheels be set at as rapid motion, and the skill, energy 

 and application directed to the furtherance of its advance- 

 ment be as concentrated as in the great shops and mills, or 

 it goes to the wall. You cannot maintain a dual standard 

 along industrial lines. 



Our agriculture has suffered for the lack of that aff<2rres- 

 sive, dominating spirit which has characterized the advance 

 of our mechanical and industrial life. The airriculture of 

 the future must have injected into it that enthusiastic spirit 

 of progress; that sharp, incisive desire for improvement; 



