368 RURAL IfEW YORK 



of departments of cabinet rank and carrying author- 

 ity commensurate with the responsibility, than from 

 the Commission type of head. The most important 

 regulatory function to be stressed is that of grades 

 and standards of farm produce. 



Closely associated with grades and standards is 

 the collection of " up-to-the-minute " information on 

 the supplies and prices of important commodities and 

 their publication together, in such form that the 

 public will understand the essential facts and learn 

 the coordination between them. Supplies need to 

 be reported from all sources including all public and 

 private storage and warehouses. Ignorance of supply 

 is the largest factor in protecting speculation. 



Finally, a word may be added in appreciation of 

 the large agricultural resources and achievements of 

 the State. Very much has been accomplished, but 

 there are large possibilities for future growth 

 through better adaptation of crops and live-stock 

 to local conditions, a better understanding by the 

 farmer of the possibilities that lie within his own 

 achievement, and through the improvement of rural 

 institutions chiefly in details of operation that rest 

 largely on the human element. The past generation 

 has been the development of physical resources; the 

 great problem now before us is the improvement of 

 the human population. 



New York agricultural people may look forward to 

 a growing condition of rural prosperity. The pres- 

 ent swing of events is in their direction in contrast 



