Litchfield enquirer., 1859-11-03
REPORT OF PROF. PORTER'S RE.
MARKS AT THE FARMERS Gu B
MEETING DURING STATE FAIR

MEETING DU KING STATE FAIR.
1t is Very evident to me, Mr. Chairman, that
the low condition of agriculture among us is
not a consequence of lack of knowledge in the
community. We have knowledge among us in
all departments of agriculture and horticulture
as minute and as profound as exists any where
Oh the face of the earth. But, the trouble is,
it exists in the brains of individual men i'll
stead Of being distributed throughout the ayr-
cultural community.
Now the great question is whether any
means can be devised for bringing about the
wider diffusion Of existing knowledge. The
problem is not one of creation, but Of diffusion
The man who takes up this problem is eDcour-
aged in the outset by this glorious quality of
knowledge that it is capable, as very few
things i'll the world beside it ere, of subdv-
sion and distribution without diminution. 1t
| is like the divided poyh--cacb part has all
the vitality Of the whole. Can we divine any
means Of bringing about an analogous multi
plication of knowledge Oil agricultural sub
jects.
1t has seemed to me that this problem is ca
pable Of solution-th.t we could by some
means or other induce the emuenty successful
men i'll agriculture and horticulture to bring
! their knowledge together into one great rcser-
voir from which it could lie distributed through
out the country. To be sure such men
are active men, busy men, more used to doing
than to talking, and it might seem at first
sight idle to attempt to get this gentleman to
leave his farm. aud this other man his stock,
aud this one his nursery to come and tell us
how to do it," But their knowledge is liber-
alizing and it seemed 20 me worth while to
make the effort. So we addressed some TWEEN
~ gentlemen distinguished in this or that spe-
ciality of agricultural or horticulture, and in
quired of them whether they would be willing
to cooperate in scheme for an extended
course OF instruction in agriculture and horti-
culture to come mainly from practical men.
| We received universal affirmative response
and tie result is that we are to have a comb
nation of agricultural and horticultural talent
here in New-Hayen next winter, such as YER
| lily believe was never assembled on the world
| before.
| Our plan is more definitely this: to carry
on this course of instruction during the month
of February next-to fill up that month with
1.-THE instruction to be given by lectures,
three or four each day. each one to be sue
ceeded by pumping process, in which the
lecturer shall submit himself to minute ques-
toning on the subject Of his lecture-and es-
pecially in relation to his own practice.
Another feature of the scheme and one
which we regard quite as important as any
! other, is that Of discussions, in which many
eminent agrculturists, hortculturists and stock
breeders, besides those in the lists of lecturers.
have promised to take part.
Prof Porter in conclusion read the names
of the gentlemen who are to take part in this
important educational enterprise Among
item were Mar hall P. Wilder, late President
Of the National Agricultural Society, Barry,
of Rochester, DR.. Grant of Ionia Island, our
distinguished entomologist, DR.. Asa Fitch,
Judge French, of New Hampshire, j. S.
Gould, OF Columbia county, n Y, c. NJ.
Clay of Kentucky, and Donald G. Mitchell, Of
New Haven: The complete list will shortly
be published