164 
Annual Report of the 
each the knowledge of all, as developed in the past and present, we 
are naturally led to the demands for improving the future. And 
in view of the varied outline of production upon the farm, the ques¬ 
tion arises, is not too much diffusion in human effort inconsistent 
with high attainment; or, more in detail, can any one mind master 
the highest skill in all the branches of farm production? The 
practical inquiry then is, would the great interest of agricultural 
production be promoted bv a division of labor? Critical observers 
have dwelt upon the proneness of our farmers to cultivate more 
land than they could cultivate well, to carry more stock than they 
could care for well, and if this be a mistake, which none will deny, 
how much greater mistake are we making individually, in attempt¬ 
ing so extended a range of farm production. If we fail in the form¬ 
er for lack of labor or means, do we not risk more in the latter from 
want of knowledge ? Is there any good reason against a division 
of form production more than a division of mechanical or manu¬ 
facturing production? Is there any good reason why the same in¬ 
dividual should grow wheat, corn, oats, potatoes and peas, and breed 
horses, cattle, sheep and hogs ? If there be, it is certainly independ¬ 
ent of the conclusion that he can attain a greater skill in the pro¬ 
duction of one than in the production of all, and would not the 
solution of such inquiries as this, as well as all others bearing upon 
the production of material values, be reached more readily and 
intelligently by general organized research and investigation, than 
in any other way? 
But why strive to grow two blades of grass where but one grew 
before, if the second blade be allowed to assimilate into other than 
a legitimate ownership? Or why apply time and skill in the pro¬ 
duction of wealth and allow others to control its distribution and 
consumption? The advantages of organization to the producers 
of material values, though indispensable to the greatest attain¬ 
ment in production, end not here, but become more potent and ap¬ 
parent when applied to the consideration of their special welfare. 
The producers of other values organize not only to perfect meth¬ 
ods of production, but to perfect methods of aggrandizement to 
their special interest. This, without in any way being just cause 
of complaint, becomes worthy of consideration, by all whose wel¬ 
fare may in like manner be promoted. Indeed, in view of the 
history of mankind, and especially the more recent organiza- 
