State convention—Rotation of crops . 
225 
we wanted it, and I conceive the permanent benefit of this con¬ 
vention will be largely measured by its co-operative influence in 
imparting our varied experiences. These experiences must be¬ 
come our own, for while it is said that “knowledge is power,” it 
is doubtful whether any knowledge not made our own by actual 
experience can amount to a quickening power in our hands. 
Our present farmers’ movement, in so far as it aims to justly 
regulate and control monopolies, is defective in excluding multi¬ 
tudes from co-operation who are as clearly interested in the ac¬ 
complishment of these results as themselves; and in so far as it 
involves secrecy, and shuts us up into an exclusive ring, it is un¬ 
worthy both of the persons and interests involved. These inter¬ 
ests are great, and we want to stand squarely before the world 
and advocate them. Agricultural prosperity must underlie all 
other prosperity. Where farmers prosper, all lawful interests can 
prosper with them; where they do not, no other honorable indus¬ 
try can. The world may learn this yet, and become reconciled to 
seeing a little ready money in a farmer’s pocket. 
The great question of prices no man nor set of men can control, 
they may agitate it, and crowd prices temporarily, up or down, 
but the great facts of supply and demand and transportation will 
assert themselves and obtain the ultimate control. There is much 
in our popular oratory which but deceives the people. Men often 
set prices and hold produce to their loss. No values are absolute, 
they are merely relative; many things go to modify them and they 
necessarily fluctuate day by day. The great remedy for monop¬ 
oly is free and open competition. It is proper for farmers con¬ 
jointly with all others to assist in placing them under healthy 
control ; but our profoundest work, that which will accomplish in 
us, and for us, the most desirable and enduring results, is an open 
co-operation which excludes no one, but gives to each one the 
greatest measure possible of that practical knowledge which is 
power. I will surrender all my interest in the reduced price of 
machinery and sugar, for that knowledge which will increase my 
wheat crop by one bushel to the acre. This is the direction in 
which to seek for the best results. 
I like such co-operation as is presented in this meeting ; where 
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