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                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned
constitutes and appoints Calvin B. Massmann, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
Tractor Supply Company's Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K, and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
National Association of Securities Dealers, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his respective
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done, or have done or caused to be
done prior to this date, by virtue hereof.


Dated: March 9, 2001                         /s/ Sam K. Reed
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Sam K. Reed