viii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



years ago, it has shown a constant and almost amazing prog- 

 ress, and this year has seen no relaxation of interest. One 

 factor, however, — and the one which is, perhaps, the greatest 

 check to this movement, — is the inability of the would-be 

 farmer to secure funds, either for buying or for stocking a 

 farm after it is purchased. ^ ery few of the great working 

 class, which forms such a vital part of our whole population, 

 are able to accumulate sufficient funds to enable them to 

 establish themselves on the land. Were there funds made 

 available in the shape of bonds issued by the State, procurable 

 at a reasonable rate of interest, and available to farmers and 

 those who desired to become farmers, the greatest hindrance 

 in this work of assisting those who have the desire and ability 

 for the calling of agriculture would be overcome. 



The interest in agriculture of the capitalist, or, perhaps we 

 may better say, the interest of the man with monej' to invest, 

 which was mentioned in the last annual report, has not only 

 continued, but has greatly increased. The recent exhibitions 

 of what Massachusetts and New England can produce in fruit 

 and other produce have caused the scales to fall from the eyes 

 of those who have seen only the possibilities of the west, and 

 who have been blind to the greater opportunities lying beneath 

 their hand and in close proximity to the best markets of the 

 world. With these demonstrations of what can be done in a 

 commercial way before them, these men are casting about for 

 suitable locations for investing their money, not for pleasure, 

 not as a toy, but as a real business venture. 



The study and research for the improvement of agriculture, 

 to which we are so greatly indebted for the wonderful progress 

 of the past several years, has been taken up in the only logical 

 way. The first step was the study of the soil itself in con- 

 nection with the crop to be grown. The enemies and diseases 

 to which the crop was subject were then taken up, and their 

 subjection and control was accomplished so far as possible. 

 Attention has more lately been given to the preparation of 

 the product for the market, and great efforts have been made 

 to secure the adoption of the most appro^'ed methods now 

 known. Noav comes, then, the next step, the solution of the 

 marketing problem itself. The selling of the product, the 



