STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 195 



grown by these institutions, and thus a large sum of money now sent 

 abroad would be distributed at home. 



Second — From these Colleges would be received reports of the experi- 

 ments made, and these would be placed before the farming public through 

 the reports of the Department, and thus, with the seeds and cuttings 

 distributed, would be communicated the mode of cultivation adapted to 

 each. 



Third — A great object with this Department must be to systematize 

 the agriculture of the United States; and how can this be so well done, 

 over a country so extensive, and of such diversified latitudes and pro- 

 ducts, as by the aid of local institutions, under the direction of high in- 

 telligence, and aided by the special agencies which will be found in 

 them ? 



Fourth — To render most practicable and useful such systematized farm- 

 ing, the aid of institutions having local influence will be essential, as in- 

 structors of leading farmers, and to obtain such State legislation as may, 

 from time to time, become necessary to a more speedy advancement. 



These reasons, without stating others, are sufficient to show how deep 

 an interest this Department must ever take in the proper establishment 

 of these industrial Colleges. 



In considering such establishments, the first inquiry to be made is, 

 What course of instruction should be adopted by them ? 



There are no settled opinions, in answer to this question, to be found 

 in the United States. So far as they have been expressed in the course 

 of study in our few Agricultural Schools, and in the writings of those 

 who have sought to mould public opinion, the instruction proposed has 

 contemplated a preparation for the farm only. The languages have 

 generally been regarded as useless, and the course of mathematical 

 studies has been too limited. In this, we think, lies the failure of our 

 Agricultural Colleges. Such limitation may be adapted to European 

 affairs, where the son seeks to continue in the father's occupation. But 

 here the farmer's son is no more destined to agricultural pursuits than 

 the son of a professional man. Here the merchant longs to be released 

 from the distracting cares of commercial pursuits, and the opulent manu- 

 facturer from the dangers of changing markets. Both anxiously desire 

 the rest and enjoyment found in the country life. And with them in 

 this wish is the professional man and the politician. And it is a natural 

 desire ; it is a part of man's nature, as it was in conformity with it that 

 God placed our first parents in the Garden of Eden ; or, that the homes 

 of illustrious Americans have become a part of their fame, as Mount 

 Vernon, Monticello, Ashland, and Marshfield. And this desire would be 

 a hundred fold -strengthened if early education fitted all for an intelli- 

 gent pursuit of agriculture, as well as other occupations of civilized life. 

 A system of education, to be successful, must be in conformity to the 

 tastes and pursuits of a people. The time is not yet come in the United 

 States when the son will inherit the father's occupation. Nor is it de- 

 sirable that it should ever be so. The eminent success of Americans in 

 all the pursuits of life; the intellectual and physical energy they have 

 displayed in them ; the facility with which this intellect takes hold of the 

 most diverse pursuits — all point to a condition so different, both men- 

 tally and socially, from the countries of Europe, that its Agricultural 

 Schools furnish but an imperfect basis upon which to rear our own. We 

 must mark out a path for ourselves. 



Congress, in the Act referred to, seems to have been governed by this 

 American condition of things. Its provisions are broad and liberal. It 



