rapid is the annual rate of increase, because of scientific farming, that while we are led to believe that within two generations we may have 200,000,000 people in these United States in place of the present eighty millions, still we shall be abundantly able to care for all, and provide them with increasing wealth and comfort, for are not the new leaders of agriculture making two blades of grass grow where one grew before, and thus doubling the value of farm products?

Let us follow somewhat in detail the work of Secretary Wilson and his corps of experts, in their efforts to raise the standard of plant and animal life. With the knowledge before them of the wonderful results of breeding among domestic animals, Mr. Willet M. Hays, assistant secretary of the Department, believed that equal results could be obtained in the breeding of better strains in plant life. In this field, Mr. Luther Burbank had already been eminently successful. It is over seventeen years since Mr. Hays began this work; and by using the vast resources of the government, and securing the co-operation of the

farmers, he has greatly increased the yield in the improved strains which he has been able to produce. During this time breeding has passed the haphazard stage, and has become thoroughly scientific. By applying scientific methods, agricultural experts have created annually millions of dollars, which have become a substantial addition to the farmer's bank account. In one state alone, at an expense of $20,000 annually, a half dozen varieties of newly bred field crops, when marketed added $2,000,000 to the amount of the same crops as raised in former years. The improvements sought for are increase in productivity, immunity to disease, improvement in fiber, taste, and food-value; also in size, shape, and color. The methods used are hybridization and seed selection.

This work necessarily runs through many years; for from large broods of the seeds of single mother plants, individual plants which show nearest to the desired traits must be selected and their seeds planted; a yearly selection being made until the desired change is fixed.

For twoscore years the work of improving

the corn crop has been in progress, chiefly through the selection of the finest seed, with the result that an addition has been made to the size of the ears, the number and fullness of the grains, and special varieties have been adapted to the various climates and soils of the various sections of the land. Corn breeding is not only taught in college and short course farmers' schools, but the results are exhibited in fairs and on "corn-gospel" trains.

Because of the value of corn-breeding, corn-breeders' associations exist in all the corn states, and seed corn is grown largely as a separate crop. New varieties are being constantly originated, older ones improved, and new strains developed. The annual value of this great crop is now far above a billion dollars; and it would take only eight such crops to pay for duplicating every mile of steam railroads in the United States, together with all the terminals, rolling stock and all other properties.

The Florida orange has been hybridized with the cold-resistant orange, thus greatly increasing its hardiness. In Colorado a cantaloupe has been bred that will resist the rust fungus. From a lengthy list of improvements