12 



DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



To meet the demands of the near future, therefore, not only must the 

 semiarid lands be made productive, but all forms of soil exploitation must 

 give place to scientific agriculture. Conservation of the country's natural 

 resources, of which the fertility of the soil and sufficient moisture to make 

 the fertility available for the growing crops, is more immediate and im- 

 portant than all else, and has become our paramount national problem. 



The sciences that bear upon agriculture and their intelligent applica- 

 tion to the problem of the farm, therefore, should have as consistent a place 

 in the curricula of the public schools as languages or mathematics; for what 

 is fundamental in the life of a nation should afford the means of culture 

 for all its people, especially those who by occupation assume the steward- 

 ship of God's beneficent provision for the life and happiness of all His 

 children, the soil. 



This Congress, under the splendid leadership of John T. Burns and 

 his earnest coadjutors, has made a splendid record. It has awakened en- 

 thusiasm along agricultural lines where only doubt or unbelief formerly 

 existed. It has done much to awaken not only the national conscience, but 

 agricultural colleges and scientists generally, a more profound study of 

 moisture conservation as the key to successful agriculture in vast regions 

 that would otherwise remain barren and unproductive. The present efficials 

 of the Dry-Farming Congress are equally enthusiastic, and the delegates 

 gathered here from so many states and foreign countries is an earnest of 

 the interest that is taken everywhere in extending the area of profitable 

 farming as close as possible to the line of climatic aridity. But the tech- 

 nical discussions that this Congress has to deal with belong to others. 



My place on the program is to respond in behalf of Uncle Sam, and I 

 can assure you that the old gentleman is physically well and financially 

 prosperous and most highly pleased with the work that has been accom- 

 plished here, and also with the cordial reception which Kansas in general 

 and Wichita in particular, offer to the delegates of this International Dry- 

 Farming Congress! 



CHAIRMAN DRUMMOND: 



Dr. Worst's splendid response in behalf of the United States is cer- 

 tainly appreciated. We will now hear a response in behalf of the nations 

 represented here. Mr. A. F. Mantle, a distinguished citizen of Canada, 

 occupying the' position of Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the province 

 of Saskatchewan, will now address you. Mr. Mantle. 



MR. MANTLE: 



Mr. Governor, Mr. Chairman, Mr. • President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

 I regard it as a very great honor that I, possibly the youngest member of 

 the foreign contingent — if there can be a foreign contingent in an interna- 

 tional gathering — should be requested to take the place of my Minister, 

 whom many of the Old Guard will remember well, but who is prevented 

 from being present on account of illness, to respond on behalf of the foreign 

 representatives to the welcome that has been given this morning. 



