I am aware that many fallacies have been committed by persons of sanguine temperament, earnestly desirous of correcting this low and degrading estimate of agricultural pursuits, by too strictly comparing its actual progress with that of some other arts. In order that comparisons may not be invidious, it is necessary they should be correct. It should be borne in mind that the marvelous progress made during the present century, in the cheapness and increased productions of textile manufactures, bleaching, dyeing, calico printing, etc., is in great measure due to the application of inorganic chemistry and improved machinery; the former science having attained to extraordinary development and exactitude during the past fifty years. The aid which chemistry renders the farmer, relates chiefly to the nutrition and growth of vegetable and animal life, termed organic, a department of the science having as yet but a very brief history, and the pursuit of which is beset with many and peculiar difficulties, and is subjected to rapid changes as, in the progress of discovery, past errors become corrected and new truths established. The manufacturer, by availing himself of the certain aids of a more simple and advanced department of chemistry, and operating exclusively on dead matter, under well-defined physical conditions of temperature, light, moisture, etc., is placed in a position almost absolutely to command whatever results may be desired. How different is it in these respects with the farmer, whose operations are exposed to and influenced by the uncertainty and variations of the weather, the changes in the nature of soils, often within very limited areas, and the complicated workings of that wonderful and mysterious force denominated life! In view, then, of these simple facts of the case, it would obviously be unreasonable, even under the most favorable conditions, to expect agriculture to advance with the rapid speed that has of late years characterized several of the manufacturing arts. The apparent anomaly, however, only strengthens and illustrates what I am desirous of impressing on this large and intelligent audience, the necessity and advantage of connecting practice with science. The principles of the latter are as applicable to the farm as they are to the manufactory, and the many and peculiar difficulties which at present beset the pursuits of farmers in relation to the higher teachings and applications of science, should induce them more earnestly than ever to devote their lives to inquiry, patient observation and unfaltering perseverance, welcoming with gratitude every ray of light which science may throw across their path, in the full assurance that, by degrees, present anomalies and

perplexities of practice will be explained, and this noble art removed in great measure, if not entirely, out of the dark recesses of empiricism, into the cheering and health-inspiring light of a progressive science.

Having thus spoken of the connection between science and agriculture, and of the valuable aid the former has of late years rendered the latter, with a prospect of still greater benefits in time to come, I wish to guard myself against being understood as countenancing the erroneous and impracticable idea that an intelligent and improving farmer must in the professional sense of the term, be "a man of science." Such an opinion this audience need not to be told is quite utopian. The progress of the natural and experimental sciences of the present day is so marvelously great that it requires the energies of a life to keep pace with almost any one of them. If youths intended for farming, as a means of obtaining a livelihood, were placed in the laboratory to acquire and master the very delicate art of manipulation in the higher branches of organic analysis, with a view of becoming accomplished chemists, the time occupied in such studies and pursuits must preclude them from acquiring that practical knowledge and those business habits, apart from which farming must, commercially at least, prove a disastrous failure. What is really needed, and what is, I think, practicable, is so to instruct our youth in the principles of science, as to enable them to appreciate the results obtained by scientific men, and advantageously co-operate with them in effecting practical improvements. The amount of scientific knowledge which such a view assumes is no contemptible modicum, and would demand years of patient study and careful observation of an active business life to acquire. The great question is, how, in the present state of society and its educational appliances, a knowledge of scientific and practical agriculture can be best obtained?

It has often occurred to me that in this, as in most other matters, the best plan is to begin at the beginning, by imparting a knowledge to the pupils of common country schools of the foundation principles of good husbandry. The extent of the information that could thus be given would necessarily be restricted, but it need not on that account be otherwise than sound and practical. We have already several little text-books suited for such a purpose, and teachers without the expenditure of much time and money, might prepare themselves for the work, which would certainly tend to raise their professional status in the country, by increasing their respect and usefulness. The matter contained in Johnston's Catechism of Agri

cultural Chemistry and Geology, and Stephens' Catechism of Prac tical Agriculture, modified and adapted to American wants, would, if carefully gone through in a country school, impart a considerable amount of sound and useful instruction, and lay a firm foundation for whatever subsequent additions the pupils might acquire to erect thereon. It would be a pleasing and instructive object to have country schools provided with gardens for experimental and illustrative purposes. Such adjuncts would form valuable auxiliaries of teaching, and also tend to refine the taste and enlarge the minds of the pupils. A school house, instead of being, as is even yet too much the case in old and wealthy districts, bald and uninviting in appearance, if not positively repulsive, should be expressive and in harmony with its primary objects, both in its exterior and interior features, and a little ornamental planting and fencing would, as in the cases of churches and other buildings, public and private, very much improve the landscape of the country, and add a new charm to rural life.

⚫cess.

Agricultural colleges have, of late years, attracted no inconsiderable amount of attention, both in Europe and America, and a number of experiments have been made with very varying degrees of sucThe immense grants of the public lands made a few years ago by the federal government for the establishment of agricultural colleges, and the prompt action taken by many of the State Legislatures to reduce the noble project to practice, redound to the honor and intelligence of this great nation. An old and distinguished member of this Society has immortalized his name, and done imperishable honor to his country by the princely munificence which founded the Cornell University, in this State; an institution which recognizes the true dignity of human labor, both of the mind and of the hands, and strives in a natural and beneficent manner to combine both in harmonious relation. Every true friend of his country and race must earnestly desire that this and similar institutions may realize the aspirations of their founders and promoters, and impart untold blessings to posterity.

It would be impracticable to lay down, in all cases, absolute rules for teaching agriculture, theoretical or practical, in public institutions, as much must depend on the varying circumstances of each country or State. If elementary instruction were generally given in primary schools on the leading principles of this art, a desire, no doubt, would be increased, in many instances, for more extensive and minute information, which the higher order of colleges only could impart. When it is found impracticable to establish and sustain a pure and

independent agricultural college the object might, to a great extent, be accomplished by incorporating an agricultural department with already existing educational institutions, possessing a staff of teachers in the various branches usually comprised in a university course of instruction. A farm of more or less extent for experimental and illustrative purposes would seem to be a necessary appendage, where the teaching of the class room might receive a practical exemplification in the field or the garden. And here I may observe that agriculture, or the other industrial arts, cannot be thoroughly learnt in colleges or schools however well adapted they may be for teaching their scientific principles; the farm and the workshop are the only places where a practical knowledge, constituting an accomplished workman, can be obtained. It is most desirable that youths, intended for agriculture as a pursuit, should be regularly trained to farm labor, and in all young countries especially, such a condition is a necessity. Work, both of the head and hands, constitutes the basis of every sound system of agricultural education. And, after all, perhaps, to make a thorough and accomplished agriculturist, one whose acquirements will enable him to extend the bounds of knowledge, and enable him to adapt himself to the varying circumstances and conditions of practical life, he must study in more than one school, and become familiar with more than one system of instruction. The facts and laws of science he can learn in the college, and observe their application to practice on the experimental grounds; but he will further require a wider circle of observation only to be acquired by travel, and thus make himself personally acquainted with the different systems of management pursued by distinguished cultivators and breeders in various localities or countries.

Among the most efficient means of advancing the agricultural and cognate arts, I feel no hesitation in placing societies, such as the one whose annual exhibition many thousands will have witnessed on these grounds during the present week. Happily, societies of this nature have been formed in most civilized countries, and their success, upon the whole, must be considered decidedly encouraging. Numbers, no doubt, attend on these occasions for mere holiday pleasure, and probably carry away but little information that will benefit either themselves or others. It is to be regretted that the great essential objects and functions of these shows are not more clearly and generally understood, and their teaching power more deeply and widely felt. To see and to observe are too frequently very different things. It is the facilities given to observation, comparing one thing [AG.]

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with another, and the drawing of sound practical conclusions from a sufficient number of well observed facts, that give to occasions like this their principal means of usefulness. The management of these shows, as they increase in size and complexity, requires continued modification, and is yet susceptible in all instances of improvement. I observe that you have adopted the plan of entering articles some weeks previous to the holding of the show, a practice which we in Canada (Ontario) have pursued with much satisfaction for several years. Now, we have only to take a step or two further; so to limit the period for taking entries, and make it absolute, that sufficient time may be afforded for compiling a complete classified catalogue or catalogues, and providing in the show-yard and its buildings, “a place for everything, and have everything in its place." To this state of advancement most of the great national societies of Europe have already brought their exhibitions, and we on this side of the Atlantic would greatly consult the convenience and information of visitors, and materially enhance the interest and increase the usefulness of our exhibitions by following, as close and rapidly as circumstances admit, so good an example. The management of the Royal English Society's show, last year, at Leicester-the ease and harmony of its working was to me a marvelous phenomenon. The grand secret of all this consists simply in the final closing of all entries in proper time to allow of the necessary arrangements for the placing of the articles in an orderly and systematic manner. Further: It has appeared to me that a longer time than is ordinarily given is required to bring fully out the teaching power of our exhibitions. Live stock probably could not be kept longer than it usually is, without incurring an amount of inconvenience, risk and expense that might discourage exhibitors; but, as regards mechanical, manufacturing and fine arts productions, and those of the farm and garden; that is, with the exception only of animals, the same reasons do not apply, or, at least, only in a very inferior degree; while the addition of only one or two days to the very contracted time usually allotted the public to observe these departments, would be both welcome and advantageous to all visitors. I have often thought that we go to enormous trouble and expense to get great crowds together for a day or two, in which it is always difficult, and sometimes impossible, for individuals desirous of obtaining information, to inspect the articles with any degree of care or comfort. The suggestion which I have ventured to make would, to a considerable extent, at least, rectify this serious defect.