10 



DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



investigation and research have had to meet and overcome many obstacles 

 and prejudices — long established customs often confront you just as they 

 have confronted others who have opened up a new field of thought and 

 activity. 



Utah has the distinction, acquired perhaps by that force which has been 

 in the past, and yet is. the mainspring of man}' endeavors — I refer to the 

 force of circumstances — of being the first among the arid states to perceive 

 the great possibilities of dry farming. 



Lying within her borders is a large area of land upon which nature, 

 it would seem, has set the seal of disapproval, b}' withholding from it the 

 moisture necessarj^ to make it fertile. But this disapproval has been the 

 incentive to thought, reflection and action on the part of her citizens in 

 other instances, too numerous to mention, so that their skill, genius and in- 

 dustry have wrested from nature the sovereignty she has long exercised, and 

 has used the bountifulness of her resources which she has poured out in 

 some parts of the land, to nourish and invigorate other parts, so as to make 

 them fruitful. 



The farmers, therefore, in past years, have had to depend upon the 

 rains and snows of winter and of spring, in addition to hard work, for a 

 successful crop. \Mth these and a careful selection of the seeds suitable 

 to the constitution of the soil, the Utah farmer has been eminently suc- 

 cessful. 



Utah, in ni}- opinion, is excellenth' adapted to the kind of farming 

 which you have met here to discuss. The usuall}' heavy rainfall and the 

 snows that mantle with whiteness our valle3's and our mountains during 

 winter, and w^hich, with the advent of spring, invigorate the land with 

 bounteous streams, nourish into animation the grain which has already 

 been planted. 



I might mention here the assistance which the Department of Agri- 

 culture has rendered in the development of this kind of farming. In using 

 expert knowledge, resulting from experimentation, and from a stud}'^ of the 

 cereals, alfalfa, and the many grasses which flourish under climatic condi- 

 tions, with which you are confronted, the department has lent great aid. 



In conclusion, ^Ir. Chairman, I would state that in behalf of the people 

 of Salt Lake, I hand you the keys of the city; all the doors are open, and 

 when your conference is over and 3'ou depart to your homes, I hope that 

 experience and observation will enable a'ou to say that Salt Lake City is 

 not only one of the most beautiful, hospitable, progressive cities of the 

 country, but that it understands the great value of dry farming in furnish- 

 ing it with the necesaries of life. 



With the hope that you will all enjoy the hospitality of the people here, 

 and that when you leave you will have kind words for us I will now leave 

 you to your deliberations. I thank you. (Applause.) 



HON. JOHN C. CUTLER (Presiding): I am requested to announce 

 tliat the delegates from Idaho are requested to meet in the corner of the 

 hall opposite the ent/ance immediately after the conclusion of this morn- 

 ing's session. 



