Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Ag Building [PAGE 11]

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ADDRESS.

A. P . GROUT, Winchester. Chairman of Committee from Illinois Agricultural Associations which drafted and secured the passage of the "Rankin Bill," for the ''Further equipment of the College of Agriculture and the extension of the work of the Experiment Station." This occasion marks the beginning of a new epoch in the history of agriculture in Illinois. It is the dawn of a new era of improvement and advancement in the opportunities and provisions made for a higher and better education for the people— for the tillers of the soil—that great army of workers who are developing* the greatest of all our industries and who have heretofore been supposed to do business on a very limited amount of that which is so essential to success in almost every other calling. Through the inspiration of this hour, we are encouraged to assert that the "world does move" and as atf excuse for such rashness we have but to point to the magnificent new building —this day dedicated to agriculture—to the education of the boys and girls of Illinois in that which pertains to the farm and the business of farming. T h a t this great boon to agriculture—the greatest industry of Illinois—has been long delayed and many years over due, cannot be gainsaid, but the delay and anxiety incident to its safe arrival in port, with a goodly cargo in the shape of the finest building devoted to agriculture in the world, and a liberal appropriation for education and investigations, and a most able and efficient crew of workers and instructors, goes very far towards mitigating our complaints and gives us great hopes and encouragement for the future. Today Illinois is to be congratulated on the advanced position it has taken with reference to agricultural education and proud may it be of the rank thus obtained. Agriculture is the basis of all industry, and education is the foundation upon which the superstructure must be reared to success* T h e eyes of the people have been opened and their under9