ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 27 1 



and corporatioiis for trade, of which there is not enough to go around; 

 and nations' that one© fought for liberty and honor are now ready to fight 

 for trade. 



The way out of it all is, to the farm. To the farmi isi the place to go 

 now, and to the -farm is the thing to go. People see it; not only plain 

 men now, but schooled, educated, learned men see it and thermore they 

 know the better they see it. Necessity may be the ointment that is open- 

 ing their eyes, but they see It all the same. When questioned by my 

 young friends from the schools as to what field for effort is now most 

 promising, I answer, the cornfield. 



We are about to return — we are returning to agriculture. We are 

 taking another step in the evolution of better things for mankind. 



To tlie half employed, to the disappointed, discontented, striving, 

 struggling millions in other over-crowded pursuits, agriculture says, come 

 unto me and I will give you employment; I will give you food and cloth- 

 ing; I will give you homes; I will give you contentment and honor; I will 

 give you peace. 



But we are returning to a new agriculture lighted and glorified by 

 science. To the new agriculture the agricultural college will be th;e 

 main gate-way. 



The agriculture college and experiment station is one of the wisest 

 conceptions of this or of any age. 



It should not be regarded as merely a help to agriculture or an aid 

 however valuable; such an estimate falls far short of the truth. It is a 

 necessary, an indispensable agent in the development of a better and 

 m.ore profitatol© and more engaging agriculture. The farmer cannot ex- 

 periment profitably. Agricultural experiments for the most part require 

 some years for their completion. There must be parallel experiments 

 under varying conditions. Exact records must be preserved. Expensive 

 apparatus' is often required. I need not recount the obstacles to success- 

 ful experimentation by individual farmers; they are numerous and prac- 

 tically insurmountable. 



