128 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



attention to this branch of pathology. Who has not heard the expression, "An 

 ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Surely this is just the place 

 to apply this adage, but I cannot pass over the causes of disease without 

 reminding you of the important * role ' which these recently discovered germs, 

 bacteria and their allies, play in the wholesale slaughter of ourselves and 

 our animals, and as evidence of what may be done by getting at the root of 

 the evil we have only to recall the great national benefit Pasteur accomplished 

 for France in the restoration of the silk industry by finding out the cause of 

 "" Pelrime," the disease which destroyed the silk worm. Since then this man 

 and others of his kind have done much for agriculture and indeed every other 

 pursuit that man is engaged in, by discoveries of the causes of the diseases not 

 only of man and animals, but also of vegetables, and although veteriuary sci- 

 ence does not pretend to know the causes of all diseases, yet she teaches us in 

 many instances what style of conformation is likely to be affected with certain 

 disorders, what kinds of food are likely to disturb the animal economy and points 

 out many other rocks of animal destruction, by avoiding which our bark is not 

 so likely to be foundered. AVhile trying to make ourselves familiar with the 

 causes of disease, we do not lose sight of the value attendant upon a knowl- 

 edge of its symptoms, nor do we forget the importance of being able to com- 

 bat the individual ailments when they do exist. Further, the commissioner 

 says : " It is important to know if possible the most economical remedies for 

 ■disease." Appreciating this, we introduce into our course the study of materia 

 .medica which includes within its province a general description of the drugs or 

 medicines used in a case of disease or for alleviation of pain. In studying and 

 ■discussing them we direct our attention, among other things, to their actions, 

 their uses and abuses, when certain remedies should be given and when they 

 are contra indicated with other matters relative to the handling of drugs. 



If we admit, then, that these two sciences are bound together by the cords of 

 anatomy, etiology, pathology, materia medica and the like, I think we must 

 also admit that tliere is still another cord, which from a moral point of view is 

 of more importance than any of the others. It is the one which makes veteri- 

 nary a disciplinary study, for by pursuing it in an intelligent and systematic 

 mannner we cultivate our brains, we train our minds, and thus improve our 

 thinking capabilities, by doing which it at once becomes an important ally to 

 agriculture. 



PEACIEES FOE PROFIT. 



BY PROF. "W. H. MERRITT, OF GRASS LAKE. 

 [Read before the Grass Lake Institute, Feb. 15, 1886.] 



That peach culture is a peculiarly fascinating occupation, and, in some 

 iplaces at leasts a very profitable one, cannot be gainsaid. And while it cannot 

 be expected that this fruit will ever supplant wheat as a staple, it is known that 

 with favorable conditions, averaging year with year, peaches may be made to 

 yield a greater revenue than almost any other farm product. 



You ask me what I mean by "favorable conditions." 



I mean the natural circumstances in regard to location, market facilities, 



