FOOD. 
393 
. 
an immense product supply of animal food in a single year is a 
strong argument for the admission of healthy foreign stock, 
and especially as their average value far surpasses those of our 
own animals. 
We have in the noble prairies of the thirteen States, two 
territories from North Dakota and Ohio to Texas, 300 millions 
of acres of land suitable for the varied production of farm 
crops, besides the almost unlimited increase in the raising of 
food supplying animals. This means vast profits in diversified 
agriculture wisely divided among the possible products. These 
are fair proportions of corn, wheat, cotton, grass and cattle. 
The wasteful ranch business is an ignis fatuus. It has proven 
a false, foolish, fitful light, and has lured too many to ruin. The 
hope of suddenly acquired riches blinds the eyes of prudence. 
And here again I quote from the Year Book of the Department 
of iVgriculture sound advice to the farmer: u The advantages 
of raising enough grass to feed a sufficient number of cattle to 
eat the corn on the farm have been lost sight of. It has dem¬ 
onstrated both by experiment and practice that the farmer who 
sells beef, pork, and mutton that he has produced from corn 
and grass raised and fed on the farm makes more money per 
acre of his land and per dollar of his capital than one who 
grows only wheat or corn or cotton. It is not necessary to en¬ 
tirely discontinue raising these crops, but if we are to produce 
a surplus to be sold in foreign markets, it is best to export that 
surplus in the most condensed and marketable form, as meat 
and animal products, that people want to buy, rather than in 
the original crude and bulky state, that people do not want to 
buy.” So to speak, we manufacture out of raw material pro¬ 
ducts that command a profitable market. All classes should 
be laborers, earning more than they spend. True wealth is the 
surplus of our needs enjoyed for the longest period in health and 
happiness. Added to this is the true nobility* of manhood, 
doing good to others. This is Christ-like. 
