Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-02-01

4 already been xhausted-establshes the nc
cessity OF agricultural education. The depth
Of soil is by no means eecurty against its
ultimate impoverishment
It is cheering sign Of progress that in
Vermont, to-day, there are healthy and -four
ishing Agricultural Societies existing, either
as Town or County Association, in every part
of the State.
/ At the last session Of the Legislature a bill
was introduced for the purpose of oncourag-
ing the agriculture Of the State, by the appoint
ment Of a Board Of Agriculture as State
Head to our Agricultural Societies This
project was thoroughly discussed, and the
matter received very general and favorable
notice by the press of the State Whether or
not this be a necessary step In the progress Of
our general knowledge upon this great sub
ject which directly and Immediately interests
all the people Of the State, it cannot be doubt
ed that in the course Of brief time, If our
1 present prosperity be preserved, new sources
Of information upon this important subject
must be opened to the people
Our Town, County and State Societies are
doing great deal but an agricultural depart
ment, connected with our colleges, would, un-
questonably materially aid IN this important
work
In England, Ireland, France, Belgium,
Prussia and many of the small States Of Eu-
I rope. agricultural Schools and Colleges have
already been established Had not science
in England and on the continent of Europe
come 10 the aid of agriculture, the lands of
those ancient territories would long since
have become exhausted, and the millions Of
laborers who feed directly from the earth
would have been driven by starvation to en-
igration or the grave.
am satisfied that if, under the supervision
Of this Society, the public addresses deliver
ed before County and Town Societies and be-
fore our own Society, could be published in a
collected form, either in full or iudciously
abridged, we could furnish annually, at
small expense, volume Of great value 10 the
State. And think, from what can learn,
that County and Town Societies would sub
scribe literally for such a volume, TO be used
at the annual fairs as premiums-aud we our
selves could use them to good advantage in
the same way.
The Societies in other States would ex-
change volumes of a similar character for
ours by which means we would be able 20
offer the collections Of other State Societies
for premiums, in connection with our own
and we should, also, be able to place a large
number Of agricultural books in our State and
College libraries and in the library Of the His
torical Society, and in this way gather for the
use Of this and all future generations a body
of agricultural literature and statistics which
would be of immense value-and which, il it
is not preserved by some such means, must
be lost
have no hesitation in saying, that a vol
ume Of this character which could be furnish
ed, printed and bound in handsome style, to
our society, for fifty cents or less a volume,
would be more acceptable to our farmers than
diploma or even a cash premium.
1t would, also, be constantly changing the
character of our premiums, and while 1t would
be giving US permanent agricultural litera-
ture it would be dtiusing light and informa-
tion among the people
Social meetings in School Districts and vii
lagos, for the discussion of agricultural sub
jects, have been eminently successful
means of gathering facts and promoting i'm
portant improvements in agricultural matters,
in our own and in other States.
In addition to these and other means, now
employed by us to raise the standard of ag-
ricultural information, let us have a literature
adapted to our wants and our interests as an
agricultural State and surely litera-
ture and an education gives skill and efIicien-
cy to the divine the lawyer, the physician,
the teacher, and the military man, will it give
skill and efficiency to the agriculturist.
This matter of education, so far as tho
Fair aud the Literature are concerned is with
in the reach Of our Agricultural Societies,
and if we improve, to the best advantage the
means within our reach, other means more
radical in their character, will spring up, eth
er as voluntary contributions, under the
patronage Of the State, TO meet the necess-
ties Of the age
DANIEL NEEDHAM,
Cor Secretary w. State Ag. Society,"
Jan. 10, 1861.
49, =. IL