Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-09

the matters of your calling Should he so han /
py, however, as to make suggestions tending to {
lead my brethren to think, to investigate and 10
make valuable experiments, with the view of test
ing the positions and practices now believed md
in general use shall have accomplished oil may,
more than expect. | would fan the ardor for in
vestigation and inquiry for TRUTH in opposition to
idle theorizing: would be understood-it is the
wasting of thought thinking without aim or object,
or as 1t is Familiarity called, "buidng castles in
the air." that object to under the term idle theo
rzing.
The philosophy of agriculture would see ex-
tended and adopted among us. 1t is not above the
capacity of the most unlearned, Or beyond the
reach of those in the most limited circumstances.
1t is practical investigation and inqui.y-the reas-
oning from cause to effect. This, in connection
with a iudicions course Of experiment and care
full noting Of consequences, is the only certain
of arriving at truth, or gaining valuable re-
suits
The occupation and duties Of the farmer embrace |
an almost infinite variety of particulars. To be- |
come successful in his vocation he must be famil-
lar not only with the ordinary labors of the field,
the rearing and taking care of the various domestic
animals subjected to the use of man, but he must
possess q knowledge of the various soils on his
farm their capabilities and adaptation to the sever
al crops to be cultivated the proper manner of pre-
pairing the different soils for the CROP the suitable
time and state of the soil and weather for sowing
planting tllng, harvesting, and securing his crops
these are among his necessary and varied employ
mens and as they are performed with more or less
Judgment and skill SO is the success and ultimate
profit of the farmer.
In no OCCUPATION within the ranpe of human EN-.
plovments does success depend more on the iudr-
ment and discretion of the operative than that of
the apriculturist. The slightest reflection shows
the truth of this remark. In the business of the
mechanic and artizan. an uniformity in every move
is the hepht of skill and results in the hest fin
ished and most perfect article II is not 80 with
the farmer His operations must be varied tn meet
an almost endless variety of circumstances Of soil
climate weather and so forth
Now. in view of these facts. in all candor and
soberness 7 ask the question. is the importance of
n thorough scientific and prnctical knowledpe of
the business Of the farmer dulv appreciatedp Your
minister must spend wears to fit himself for his no.
10 calling. vour Musician must be prepared to
combat disease in all its varied forms before he re-
ceives or is entitled to YOUR confidence your law
yer must be acquainted with all the minutiR of his
profession before YOU employ him; and for the ed
ncation of these scminaries and colleges have been
established and endowed by every government
lhaving anv claim TO civilization. And it is deemed
necessary To insure success that the artizan in ey-
erv mechanical business shall 90 through a tho
ronob training under skillful and competent mas
ter. But where shall we look, in our own country
for the eniphtened public opinion. which has pro
vded or even loudiv calls for. the means for sci
ent6c and thorough instruction in agriculture?
II is true. Individuals. who will hereafter be re-
membered as benefactors to mankind, have devoted
themselves TO agriculture as science The re-
suits of their labors are beginning to be appreciat
ed Many of their works are published in a cheaI
FORM They are to great extent Invested of tech
meal terms; or when those terms are used, they
are so explained as to be understood by the com.
A ic tl
mass for information of this character Though lis
importance to the farmer is vet but mperfectl,
comnrebended. enough is already seen TO show
that the learned and unlearned are beginning tc
commune together and to understand each other
that thew occupv common Ground. the one WELD
inc the mental. the other the physical power O.
man These powers are daily becoming more in
titnatelv blended by their exercise bv the same in
dividuals. The tendency is to make learning proc
teal. For it is not the character of the learnin.
of the present ace to confne its abors to abstrus
questions of philosophy. or its influence to thu
learned Its labors are being directed to the phi
Ilosophv of the common concerns of life. and it
influence to make men better happier amelio
rate his physical and moral condition.
The importance of chemistry to the arts has bee
long known and acknowledged. Its application t
the art of husbandry is of recent date; almost
even. within the recollection of most within tn
hearing of my voice. When we consider the re
suits which have already followed us application
the arts and to husbandry are we not warranted j
the conclusion that agriculture is yet in its infancy
, And when we look about us and see the astonisl
ing changes which have been wrought in the m,
chanical world within the last half century, is
too much to anticipate, that this law of progress
, TO produce as great change in the science of az
, riculture?
f The farmer, in debt for his farm and struggr
to meet the daily expenses of his family cannot
expected to devote his time and means to the C,
perments and investigation required to make in
porant advances in science. But when the tor
of the public mind shall have become right he will
in this matter, gladly adopt the suggestions of h
|neighbor, whose greater leisure and learning ha,
permitted and qualified him to engage in and carr
improvement of our domestic animals, the enrichir
our soils the increase of If crops, or the introdu
ton of new varieties, either from the animal or ve
etabe kingdom calculated to add to the sustenant