15 



when the earning capacity of a man must be critically meas- 

 ured. If this leads to restricted operations in the barn or 

 field, without forcing its full lesson, we shall suffer. If it 

 arouses men to grapple with the problem of maximum out- 

 put at minimum cost it wijl prove one of the richest legacies 

 of the century. To what degree can we reduce acreage and 

 increase total volume of production? Can such a result be 

 made possible? These are the questions forcing themselves upon 

 the farmer to-day, not to be answered by another, but grappled 

 with by the individual and proven in his own field of labor. 



The possibilities of seed selection in increasing crop pro- 

 duction are still an unknown quantity. The certainty that 

 this opens the door to our financial salvation is not yet appre- 

 ciated. Experience teaches that it is a simple proposition to 

 double the average corn crop of the State, and for this I plead. 

 Here is where every farmer can do his bit for his country. 

 Upon the shoulders of the men on the farms of the United 

 States rests the responsibility of feeding the allied armies of 

 the world, and all dependents, as well as our own population. 

 Not yet are we alive to the necessity for doing our best and 

 our utmost. The cry ringing in the ears of every farmer to- 

 day should be that old-time cry of Carlyle, "The best there 

 is in you, and the whole of it." There is no sacrifice for us 

 except to those who send dear ones to the front, but there is 

 an opportunity for service for every man, which love of home 

 and country, faith in American institutions and American 

 standards, and hope for the future should inspire. It is the 

 determination to be the best possible, to toil and plan, save 

 and conserve at every step and in every way, that our 

 institutions so dear, and that democracy of individual liberty, 

 born on the rugged hills of this north land, may under God 

 be preserved, and, through the united service of the boys at 

 the front and the men and women at home, be transmitted 

 to coming generations a priceless heritage. 



I follow my convictions, wherever they maj' lead. 

 I cannot choose my duties, I cannot choose my creed. 

 And none can choose them for me, no church, or priest, or clan; 

 I follow my convictions, if I'm an honest man. 



