THE STATE AS FARMER 65 



farm, but adjoining ones, and put, field by 

 field, the whole district into good heart for 

 us. Each farmer would by this method be 

 helping to make the experiment, but the 

 word ' experiment ' would seldom be needed, 

 for the word to be used would rather be 

 ' treatment,' which in the majority of cases 

 would be certain in result. 



I am now going a step farther in my 

 demands. I say that in every walk of 

 life the State places obstacles before those 

 citizens who would rush unprepared into 

 positions which require education and ability. 

 I think I may claim that the short review 

 that I have made of the requirements of 

 agriculture shows that the land pre-eminently 

 calls for talent and education for its successful 

 working. And yet we make no inquiries 

 as a State concerning the attainments of 

 those who undertake this most responsible 

 of a citizen's part. The naval, military, and 

 civil services are entered through examina- 

 tion ; the post office is graded according to 

 ability and usefulness ; the medical body 

 passes to its work through the severe ordeal 

 of its training and tests ; engineers of all 



