Originating as a presidential address before the association of American Agriculture Colleges and Experiment Stations as Lansing, Michigan, this text comprises an interesting paper on 'The State and the Farmer', much expanded from the original address. Appealing to those interested in the evolution of modern agriculture, this scarce classic covers such topics as: Geographical Shift in Rural Occupations, Shift in Agricultural method, Lack of Adaptation, Etc. Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858 - 1954) was a botanist, horticulturist, and cofounded he American Society for Horticultural Science. Originally published in 1908, this informative treatise on the relationship between governance and agriculture is proudly republished here with an introductory biography of the author.