Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-03-06
Relation of Science to agriculture.

heldtiUH vi Science 10 Agriculture
At the meeting of the State Board Of
Agriculture, at Montpelier Feb. ODD
Prof. II. W. Seeley of Middlebury read
paper on this subject. The style of the
paper was particularly pleasing, bat the
Interest Of its matter was not in the least
obscured, or lost sight of by the grace
and thorough thought-trained manner in
which it was presented. He commenced
by saying that the ancient Philosopher
put the widest possible distance between
his philosophy and the useful arts and oc.
equations. To his mind, there was pro-
badly not the slightest connection one with
the other. Thought and labor we're as
distant as the poles or if there was the
slightest relationship, it was that of mas.
ter and servant. Philosophy regarded
labor as a mental, fit only to do its bid
ding 10 the people in general, science
was not speculation, dream, which had
not any interest or value to them.
The natural antagonism thus engender.
ed between the theoretical and the prac.
teal prevented either from coming to its
complete fitness. By harmonizng these
discordant parties the benefcence of both
could be bestowed upon mankind The
tyranny of philosophy laid aside, and the
plea prevailing of the OLD time prince and
patriarch eve are brethren; let there be
no strife between u.s." enthroned the two
together and brought about a rule bene-
ficent to the human race. The speaker
thought the happy days Of reconciliation
had arrived, AMI that now every discov-
cry, heretofore kept within the knowledge
of the few, becomes the property of all.
Science las renowned its exclusiveness
and is now the servant of all. For COM
merce, science is revealing the laws of the
winds OF heaven, reading the statutes that
rule the tickle waves and the head-stropg
currents of the ocean, making the ocean
as highway, as familiar as daily path.
On land Its achievements are no less won.
derfuI. The way that on the ocean was
wave is here of iron. Mountain or riy-
er is but slight obstacle to the progress
Of travel.
10 the manufacturer and the artisan
science has been most liberal in its fayors
And having accomplished so much for
other industries and pursuit., which was
expressed in fitting words that we cannot
here repeat, the consideration of the SUBJ
Ject announced was gracefully introduced
Prof. seeley stated the supposition that
two hundred millions of men are actually
engaged in the culture Of the earth, or in
occupations that minister directly to the
sustenance of mankind. Agriculture had
not derived from classified knowledge the
assistance that had been given to the arts.
lhe compiexity of the application of
science to agriculture was apparent. Its
application to test the value of an ore was
we'll understood. But the connection be.
tween science and agriculture is becoming
50 plain that it can no longer be neglect.
ID, and practical men are now anxious to
receive instruction from scientific men. u,
ma scientific men are eager to impart
What they know, or undertake new 70.
earches for the purpose of clearing IN
What is unknown.
The department of science most init. .
nately connected with Agriculture, Geo.
ogy, Chemistry. Botany and Zoology =
we're then severally dwelt upon in detail,
furnishing much material for after fu
bought to those who would become mas. m;
ers OF their time honored profession as 81,
Illers of the soil. We cannot, in this di'
REF, abstract, convey much of an idea no
how intimately every farmer in Yer n
lont is associated with, and dependent an
pom, the laws governing in these various liza
~ PR
apartments, for whatever success or re- ma
orse he may meet with in producing the
'sults Of his avocation, as eloquently,
at in familiar language, presented by !
rof seeley. The mineral construction