Year: 1869

/ increase production and enhance the
revenue necessary TO sustain the public
| burdens. Landlords, that by rendering
their lands more productive, they may
/ increase their rents. In our republic
government Of the people, whore we
/ have no peasant population, where all do,
or may own the soil, and where the indi-
vidual aud tie state are enriched alike,
/ how much greater the inducement to
found and cndow such Institutions.


Fifty years ago agriculture in the
/ United States was in a crude and unprom-
isine condition. The possession of too
much land induced u careless and i'm
provideut system Of husbandry, from
which many of the older portions of the
country are Just beginning to recover.


The careful and scieutiic study of agri-
culture as the foundation of a wise system
of political economy, was at that time Il
mea ger part of the education of an
American statesman. The great law
that the soil that feeds us and supplies
the material of our clothing, must itself
be fed, was only understood after a
wrctchea system had rendered millions of
acres unproductive, and in many of the
Southern States an abandoned waste.


But brighter day has slowly dawned.
The men of letters and science, the dis
coverer and inventor, the mechanic, the
merchant, and the farmer 3sof one accord
and one mind begin, each for the other,
to exercise an enlightened Faith, and a
due regard for the parts they are respec-
lively to enact in elevating the character
and increasing the resources of the great
body polite. A flood Of light has been
she'd ou the workings Of nature, the
economy of animal life, and the vegetable
productions Of the earth-the proper
culture and preservation of the soil. and
the application of mechanical forces and
chemical agencies to the industries of
l:fe, inurins largely to the wealth and
influence of our nation.


Our secular schools are far more prac-
tical than formerly; and it is felt more
and more that our sons and daughters
should be educated to, not from, those
pursuits in which their lives can be rem
dered most useful to themselves and
others


Agricultural and scientific papers and
magazines reach multitudes, aud produce
the most salutary effects. Improvements
in agriculture and the arts, are sure to
attend their perusal. But these are not
IA rloiety Of the benefits they bestow
They instruct, entertain aud improve all,
and extend to many literary and scientific
culture, inaccessible otherwise They
elevate labor and stimulate invention
without doubt they have added millions
to our national wealth, and have diffused
contcntment and Il relish for labor among
the masses OF still greater value.


The annual reports, federal aud state,
literally scattered o,er the land, are
treasures Of the most valuable statistics
and facts, and are replete with informa-
ton conducive to the general we'll being


In many States there are Farmers
Colleges and experimental farms, com
biniug science and practice, already per-
manelitly established. The professors in
these are generally men OF thorough cul-
ture and exalted w, rth


Psot. Turner has well met the objec-
ton that the studies OF these institutions
are too sersuous and gross to be the basis
of g pure and elevated mental training.
They cover" says he; ..all modes and
phases Of science abstract, mixed and
practical. In short, the field embraces
all that God has made, and all that
human art has done and if the created
universe and the highest art OF man are
too gross for our refined uses, it is a pity
the morning stars and the sons of God
did not find it out as soon as the blunder
was made


''But these topics are of quite as much.
h., III I'll =
force, ''as conjectures about the galaxy
and the Greek accent, unless indeed the
pedantic trifes of one man in thousand
are Of more consequence than the daily,
vital interests Of all the rest of man
kind"


To attain and preserve just standing
in the respect of the world, our young
farmers must be as well educated as those
destined for other callings.. Well trained
minds will secure well cultivated fields
soils treated in the light Of science and
experience will be made to double their
productiveness and as the implements
of husbandry are more and more i'm
proved, there will be corresponding
diminution of that depressing toll that
epervates the thinking function, and in
disposes to its exercise.


Nor will the farmer that is wise give to
incidence and dissipation the opportuni-
ties thus secured to attain higher
position than that hitherto accorded TO
his profession. He will not only advance
in the sphere of his calling, but for hon
ored aud useful place in other worthy
pursuits. He will guide the plow with
thrift, and if need be with steady hand
on the helm, the ship of state. The
agricultural class, intelligent, free and
owning the soil, are naturally the conser-
vators of liberty-the best defence from
outward peril, and best guarantee against
domestic tumults. Their contribution to
the support and resources of our great
republic, connecting and blending with
all the moral, social and political interests
of the world, is moderately estimated at
], SOC, ,000, 900 dollars annually and as
the support of all industries, and paying
a preponaerance of the taxes, husbandry,
when she asks for the proper education
of her sons and daughters, should never
have herIdraft dishonored at the till of
the national or State excheauer.