Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-27


yidual industries to work out their several
problems. Whatever the intent of the
/ Agricultural College grant may have been,
1t is to be doubted if anything material to
/ the true interests Of agriculture has yet
/ been born of it. And II is to lie qaes-
toned that there ever will, until II passes
| from the control of literature into the
hands Of farmers. Does any one doubt
that the income of any one of these State
funds, devoted to such experiments as l
have alluded to, would do more to enhance
the agricultural wealth of the country
than the quasi training Of fifty of the half
scores of students annually ground out of
our so-called agricultural colleges ? What
is done, is done and I don't know that
there is any help for it. Nevertheless, we
can of ourselves help ourselves. Will
we2
In prosecuting our investigations, it is
| well to remember that the net value of all
scientific statements is influenced by their
credibility, their reliability, their accuracy.
More than this, the working, economical
value of a precept, deduced from expert
ments ever so carefully made, is influenced
by its adaptability to use. For instance,
a precept needed by the buttermaker is
one which teaches how to preserve that
article for long time fresh and sweet as
it comes from the churn. There may be
several such precepts. But the one of the
most value, other things being equal, is
that which is the easiest understood and
practiced and this for two reasons. One
is habitual Incidence Of thought, even
amongst people not stupid, and another is
obstinate opposition to innovation. What
ever of real improvement. in your industry
you may seek, and gaining, inculcate,
truths-truths which are as frequent
amongst those of our calling as in those
other occupations.
So far l have directed your attention to
certain methods of inquiry. Not that
these are the only means for obtaining use
full information. The common history of
all our occupations shows that, however
rude our individual methods of investiga-
ton, much is to be learned by the accu
mutation of personal experiences. No
one can gainsay the force of common
sentiment-of public opinion as motor
and controller, as well as teacher of
men. There underlies every wide spread
opinion, some basic truth. As one person
sometimes feels the presence of another
whom he has not seen or heard, so we col
lectlvely feel thing to be true, though
we may not be able to demonstrate it.
Thus, in the history of human progress
common prejudice, traditional sentiment,
has been found to enfold substantial
truth, or to suggest an important discov-
cry. Thus, as the physician will under
stand, the Error Loci and Balsamic di-
costing ointments of the Ancients were in
some sense the mythical provision of in
hammatory congestion and carbolic acid.
Therefore, we may, in the absence of
demonstration, proftably compare notes
in individual opinion, being assured no
set of farmers can meet and truthfully and
faithfully narrate their practical expert
ence without profit. And it is, [ think,
almost always found that a settled convic
ton of such men, deliberately formed, is
an approximation, at least, to the exact
truth.
1t will be obvious, then, that the dis
cussions which may be had here will be of
value-of great value-of the greatest
value-if those things are brought to bear
upon them which tend to accurate and
thoughtful elaboration. Something of
familiarity with the discussion of associa-
tons of various kinds has taught me that
they do not always contain these elements.
Is it not true, oftentimes, that what is ut
tered comes of desire to say something,
rather than of having something to say
Isn't it often the case that he who has
something to say, says it without due and
efficient deliberation
| don't mean as to manner but as TO
matter; Mr. President, l am not dream
ing of an Eutopia, | am striving to point
the way to practical results. Now how
can our discussions be made most profta-
BILE for us ? Thus, let US agree upon what
we do know. To discuss that upon which
our opinions are settled, is, to say the least,
wearisome. To discuss that of which We
know nothing well, is fruitless. This is
the domain Of experiment, inquiry, not dis
cussion we may discuss the value of
methods Interpretation and applica-
ton of ascertained facts.
Let US come prepared as to what we in
tend to say SO far as concerns the great /
objects of our meeting, let us consider
well what we mean to say.
Frankly, Mr.. President, have after all
not as much faith as L once had, in the
fruitfulness of these discussions for any
other purpose than to evoke facts gath
cred in personal observation in their bear
ing on the questions at issue, and for the
improvement and interest of those pres
ent. .-5 -
| think | am sustained by the Judge
ment of the most thoughtful in this as
as know am by the history
of economies, in saying that if we do much
for the advancement of dairy interests, we
will do it through observation and expert
ment, and this, through the agency of our
association in its collective capacity. /
have little faith that many careful expert
ments will be made by individual enter
prise. To have them made we must in
sober, business earnest, put our hands in
to our pockets, and having calculated the
costs: find the money.
SUDBURY friends of the Rev. II
FL. T. Rustedt paid him visit on Tues /