SECRETARY'S REPORT. 45 



precisely the diet each needs, as intelligently as they would administer to the 

 different wants of the horse and the dog. 



By such a course, the mind would begin to be disciplined, would acquire 

 habits of reflection and investigation, and the young farmer would afterwards 

 enter upon his employment with some adequate conception of its dignity and 

 importance. As his hands worked, the brain would be active in observing 

 the processes of nature ; its truths, facts and teachings would be stranger and 

 more interesting than the most entertaining fiction, and labor would not be a 

 mere drudgery, but a pleasure, and occasion less fatigue. 



It is equally important that girls should prosecute the same studies and 

 prepare themselves lor usefulness as well as ornament in society. They must 

 be convinced that it is a higher art, a more honorable pursuit to till the soil 

 scientifically, to manage the dairy well, to superintend the garden, and regu- 

 late the diversified household afiairs, than to traffic in merchandize, ply the 

 needle, or pursue an idle listless gentility in a populous city ; then they will 

 be entirely satisfied with a rural life, and have a desire for that knowledge 

 whicli will enhance its charms, making it more attractive than any home of 

 merchant or professional man in crowded streets. 



In England, the noblest, the wealthiest, the most honorable ladies in the 

 realm, take the greatest interest in agriculture. They oversee the farm, the 

 dairy, the house. Nothing etcapes their notice. In the absence of the pro- 

 prietor of the estate, they travel over the grounds with the visitor, and give 

 the minutest details respecting the crops, stock, plants and ancestral trees. 

 With this, there is no lack of delicacy and refinement, but it contributes to 

 their mental and physical education, promotes their health, and renders 

 them all the more interesting and attractive in the drawing room, after the 

 labors of the day are ended. This example is worthy of imitation by all the 

 daughters of Eve, if they would realize a happiness approximating to that of 

 Eden. 



A knowledge of the mysteries of baking, roasting, boiling, churning, the 

 nature and action ot yeast, the action of boiled eggs on silver, of fruit on 

 knives, and a multitude of similar subjects with the ability to explain them 

 according to the lavrs of chemistry is of great practical importance, and their 

 consideration may profitably occupy the mind while engaged about their daily 

 avocations. 



Diffuse a taste and desire for an agricultural education in our common dis- 

 trict schools by introducing scientific books simple and concise, and the effect 

 will not stop there. It will create a demand for higher schools and colleges, 

 combined with model farms, where a more comprehensive system may be 

 taught and practically illustrated. These would furnish competent teachers, 

 so that the whole community would eventually be thoroughly instructed in 

 those natural sciences intimately connected with agriculture. 



About four hundred such institutions have already been established in Eu- 

 rope, and a few in this country. The first was founded in Switzerland, by 

 Emanuel Von Fullenberg, in the dawn of the present century. In 1844, there 

 were but nine in existence ; but so manifest were the advantages, such a lively 

 interest did they excite, that they have lately increased with remarkable ra- 

 pidity. The best endowed are provided with models of agricultural imple- 

 ments and fruits ; philosophical and chemical apparatus ; geological, minera- 

 logical and botanical collections ; specimens of woods, seeds, resins, wool and 

 all the products of the fields ; collections of insects and different breeds of 

 domestic animals, with libraries, botanic gardens, conservatories and farms. 



The pupils not only listen to lectures amply illustrated on chemistry, veg- 

 etable and animal physiology, entomology, botany, zoology, mineralogy, 

 geology, agriculture and horticulture, but they become practically acquainted 

 with all the details of farm operations. They are required to plow, spade, 

 plant, sow, hoe, reap, thresh, take care of teams and stock, and keep accounts. 

 They thus learn both the theory and practice of agriculture. In the future, 



