2;70 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



The kind providence which cares for all living things, so ordered his 

 laws that the! field by rude and simple means could be made to yield the 

 necessities of life. 



But since we live by agriculture, we have been wont to look upon it 

 simply as a means of living. He who finds in his vocation only the 

 means of living, becomes a joyless drudge and his vocation stagnant 

 drudgery. 



May we not see in this the reason why myriads have tired of farm- 

 ing and have turned away from the farm to other pursuits and profes- 

 sions. And in this turning away of so many from the farm, to other pur- 

 suits and professions, may we not find and see the cause of that marvel- 

 ous development of other arts and sciences which so distinguishes our 

 time. I do not doubt it. The excessive interest in these, the excessive 

 number engaged in them, and the excess of energy expended upon them, 

 could have no other result, but to push their development to an amazing 

 degree of perfection. 



But now on every hand we see the signs of another turning, a return- 

 ing to agricultural pursuits. Other sciences and other artsi are ripe now 

 to serve their highest purpose in the development of the master sciences, 

 agriculture. The professions are full — crowded as we have seen. They 

 no longer pay, to put it short, but that it not all nor most important; 

 men and women consciousi of power to aid in the world's needed work 

 and inspired by sublime desire and ambition to add by their labors some- 

 thing to the world's comfort, happiness, and betterment, disdain to waste 

 their needed powers where not needed. We see that if place, success, and 

 competence are to be gained for -themselves in professional life it must 

 too often come by displacing and defeating others. 



With the condition of unskilled laborer and the artisan in the city 

 we are familiar. Living employment is uncertain; there are too nuany. 

 The mechanic, for self-preservation, is compelled to limit the numiber of 

 apprentices in his craft, even to the exclusion of his own son. Profes- 

 sional men are hesitating to bring up their sons to their own calling. 

 How is it with trade and commerce? There is war between individuals 



