ILLUSTRATION FARMS OF THE COMMITTEE ON LANDS 17 



APPENDIX No. 3 



mittee on Agriculture of Parliament to inform you of what we have been doing, wliat 

 is to be done next, and to indicate the probable results. You will allow me to say, 

 in conclusion, that I have lived long to have learned the value of concentration on a 

 few things at a time, on a few definite things for a definite purpose, if one desires 

 to get much done. I would rather come and speak to you this morning on this sub- 

 ject than address a crowd of a thousand people in the opera house. The particular 

 form of leadership which this movement needs in all the localities, is interpretation 

 of its object, its plans and its methods, in such a way as to encourage farmers to 

 join in neigbourhood co-operations, not to secure Government grants, but to render 

 service to each other by associated effort for better farming. When we have success- 

 fully sought these local illustration farms managed by the people themselves, I think 

 in agricultural matters all other things will be added to us. We will achieve in the 

 famous saying of Sir Horace Plunkett, of Ireland, himself a foremost leader in rural 

 co-operation, " Better Farming, Better Business. Better Living.' Then everj^ effort 

 of every Department of the Federal and Provincial Governanents for the improvement 

 of agriculture would be more effective and widespread. What would it mean to 

 everybody, to farmers, to manufacturers, to merchants, to transportation companies, 

 to professional men, and to education to have $500,000,000 a year more from the 

 crops on the same area as the result of the improvements in agriculture? And 

 besides this, we would be passing on this great heritage in our lands continuously 

 enriched and improved instead of being depleted. The work of the Committee on 

 Lands is all towards that end, and I thank you for having heard me so patiently this 

 morning. 



Connnittee adjourned. 



Certified correct, 



JAMES W. ROBERTSON. 



