cked methods of distribution and exchange, which so widely separates
the farm and the factory, the farmer and the artisan, the food and the
consumer.

"From another point of view, we may discover that inventive genius, has
added a long list of labor-saving machinery, to the equipment of the
farm. Since wheat growing, has become the leading crop, this expensive
machinery must be included in the outfit of every successful farm. The
burden of this expense, has proved too great for the capacity of the
small farm. It has encumbered thousands of them with an indebtedness so
hopeless, that its annual interest swallows up the income of the farm.
From these causes, a crisis in the affairs of agriculture has arisen,
which has demanded larger farms, more capital, more brain force and more
systematic, better organized, co-operative labor. Hence, the evolution
of the bonanza farm; with which the small farm can no longer compete.
Notwithstanding its many wasteful methods, the bonanza farm has been a
step in the right direction. It has taught our agricultural people a
valuable lesson, as to what may be accomplished by the combined
co-operation of brains, labor and capital. It has demonstrated the
necessity for the evolution of the co-operative farm. It has prepared
the way for it.

"With the advent of the co-operative farm, will come the beginning of a
new agricultural era. The co-operative farm village, with its well
organized, allied industries, will again unite agriculture with
manufacture. The village will represent the new unit of rural society.
This unit will be free, independent and self-sustaining. The occupation
of farming, will be lifted into a new realm. It will become the
occupation of the noble, the cultured and the progressive. The people of
these farm centers, will form the warp and woof of agricultural society,
organized as a whole. The presence of organized society, largely adds to
the value of all lands and to the value of agricultural and manufactured
products.

"The brilliant author of 'Volney's Ruins,' well understood the force of
this principle as applied to increasing agricultural wealth, and at the
same time largely adding to the general prosperity of the State. In an
essay published in 1790, Volney lays down the following principles: 'The
force of a State is in proportion to its population; population is in
proportion to plenty; plenty is in proportion to tillage; and tillage,
to personal and immediate inte