Table Showing the Crops of the Country, Amount Remaining in Hands of New Jersey Growers January 1st Following, With Opening, January and

The aggregate crop of 1899 I now divide as follows:

New England and New York..........

New Jersey..

The West......

Total............

625,000

250,000

110,000

985,000

Annual Address.

D. D. DENISE, PRESIDENT.

Gentlemen of the State Board of Agriculture:

We have assembled at our twenty seventh annual convention as representatives of the most important branch of industry in our land. Agriculture, the oldest of occupations, should, from its nature and usefulness, be one of the most honorable and desirable as well as one of the most advanced of the arts practiced by man. Necessary to his. existence and indispensable to his highest welfare, it has been, in all ages, the predecessor of all other arts and the pioneer in the advance of civilization.

From the time when the soil was first stirred by the rudest implements known to man until those implements represented the best efforts of man's thought and skill, there seems to have been a steady advance made in the science and art of agriculture. Yet there is no use disguising the fact that agriculture to-day is a much-abused industry. Abuse is being heaped upon the industry by the very people who should defend it.

Are not the conditions more favorable than ever before, in some respects? There never was a time when improved lands could be bought so cheaply as now, and when one man, with the aid of improved machinery, could do so much work as he can to-day. Unless the farmer stands up for his calling, no one else will. It may be true that the agricultural industry is less remunerative at present than any other branch of industry. It cannot remain in that condition long, when viewing the magnificent prosperity which to-day abounds all over our land.

We are at present on the very crest of a wave of prosperity, one of the most pronounced that this country has ever realized. It extends to every part of the world. Labor is everywhere employed at increased wages; factories and furnaces are running to their full capacity, day

and night; new ones are being built everywhere. There is a tremendous boom in mining-of coal, iron, lead, copper and all precious metals, to supply a constantly increasing demand. Witness the exports of the products of American factories. Witness every locomotive and every car taxed to its limit, and every vessel laden to its utmost capacity to carry products to market-a prosperity never before known in the history of our country. The very elements seem to echo prosperity.

But how about the farmer? Is he realizing his just share of this prosperity? I have carefully looked into the matter, and am compelled, reluctantly however, to admit that he is not. The price of what he has to sell has not advanced in proportion to the prices of what he has to buy. The result is, it takes more of the products of the farm to buy the necessities.

What can the farmer do to relieve the situation? Well, improved methods of production will help him some. Strict economy in the use of all by-products of the farm will help him more. The farmer who makes money to day is he who observes, intelligently and scientifically, the economies of production.

The margin of profit is reduced so low that there is no room for the waste of former days, and no chance of profit except to the skilled, intelligent, systematic management of agricultural affairs. Where wastes are excluded, loss of labor minimized, processes economized, products well marketed—then the farmer is on the royal road to prospertiy.

AGRICULTURE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Has the time not come when the welfare of the country demands that the science of fruit and plant life should be taught in our publicschools? It may be said there are already too many branches taught in our schools, and this is in a measure true; but what is the prime object of an education? I answer, to be a useful member of society, and be happy.

A closer knowledge with nature, by which we are surrounded all our lives, will be the means to make us more useful and more contented. Can any one thing contribute more to the pleasures of rural life than a knowledge of the things about us, and how to turn them to the best use? The introduction of this study in the public schoolswould require a class of teachers who are in love with nature, and who

are capable to impart such instruction as will prove of lasting benefit to the boys and girls, who are to be the gardeners, the fruit-growers and farmers of the future.

The district school-house is headquarters, and here the successful farmer, gardener and fruit-grower of the future must receive practical instruction.

What a wonderful field is open for teaching the principles of horticulture and agriculture in our public schools, and the opportunity which offers to turn our school rooms into a place of personal delight to thousands of children!

I believe the farmers ought to see that these things are taught to their children—the boys and girls in the country districts. And it teaching and studying is carried on along these lines, we shall enter into a period of greater prosperity in this country in agricultural development. We shall lift the whole subject to the position where our young people will seek, rather than evade, it.

The child who is taught the wondrous workings of nature enjoys the unfolding of its mysteries and thoroughly appreciates its beauties, spread around with so lavish a hand, and, as years roll away, will learn to love the work for which he is so richly rewarded; and as his eyes wander over the farm, his soul drinks in the beauty of the waving grain, sweet scented clover, rustling corn and golden fruit, his intelligent mind realizes the fact that at the base of each shining thread a rich reward awaits him.

The study of agriculture broadens our views, engenders purity of thought, a thorough appreciation of all that is beautiful in nature, love and reverence for Him who created that we might enjoy. Surely this is one step gained towards good citizenship, which is and ought to be the aim of all instruction. Good farmers make good citizens. Good morals, good government, and all combined, a prosperous people.

FRUIT INTERESTS.

Soon after the pioneer farmer had established himself in New Jersey with the intention of making a permanent abode, he at once commenced planting fruit trees. Perhaps in nearly every part of our State there is abundant evidence that his thoughts were directed towards the cultivation of fruit.

No place could be more suitable, especially for the orchard, than where the forest had just been removed, and the virgin soil so perfectly