CHAPTER I 
THE STUDY OF AGRICULTURE 
Agriculture the Pillar of Industry.—What is agri¬ 
culture? Why do we study agriculture? Agriculture is 
the science and art of producing plants and animals use¬ 
ful to man. It is the most important industry in the 
world. It may be compared to the foundation of a house. 
If the foundation of the house is strong and well built, 
it will stand for years and be of great value to man. This 
is true of agriculture, because it is the foundation of all 
business. Without it we would not have juicy peaches, 
watermelons, and other delicious fruits to eat. We would 
not have vegetables such as green corn, red tomatoes, 
radishes, potatoes, and the like. From the farm comes 
the “staff of life,” which is bread. The raising of live¬ 
stock supplies our tables with meat, milk, butter, and 
eggs. Furthermore, the clothing that we wear is made 
from cotton, flax, wool, and silk, which are produced on 
the farm. From the forest we get lumber for building- 
purposes, pulp for paper, wood for fuel, edible nuts, and 
many other valuable products such as rubber, maple 
sugar, resin, and turpentine. It is a well known fact that 
when the farmers of America produce good crops, busi¬ 
ness flourishes, our needs are supplied, and people are 
happy. 
Knowledge is Power in Business and Farming.— 
Whatever occupation one may choose for his life’s work, 
it is well that he have a fundamental knowledge of farm¬ 
ing. Whether a doctor, minister, lawyer, teacher, mer- 
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