INTRODUCTION. JX 



observers of nature, and went to the study of their books 

 with a fresher heart and new zeal. Something like this is 

 wanted in all our lower grades of schools. No young man 

 can be content with any kind of work that does not bring the 

 intellect into play. His soul must be in his work. Nature 

 has a peculiar charm to those who can read it. as an open 

 book. Tired minds, tired brains long for the relief that 

 comes from communication with her forms. How is an 

 interest in this to be brought about ? No one takes a lively 

 interest in any thing that he does not learn to love in early 

 life. Children should be taught while still young to be close 

 observers. A pebble has no charm to the careless observer, 

 yet to the student of geology there is a written history in its 

 uncouth surface. Our common schools should teach the 

 natural sciences ; and when the parents and those who have 

 had enough of the dead study of books demand it, teachers 

 will be found who will teach them, and then will be brought 

 about the reform Ave so long to see completely inaugurated. 



I have included in the body of the present report, as an 

 independent paper, a lecture given during the annual meeting 

 at Warren, on the Development of our Agriculture as a 

 means for the improvement of business ; and I would here 

 acknowledge my indel^edness for many of the facts there 

 given to a little work on the same subject, by Mr. Franklin 

 W. Smith, published by J. R. Osgood & Co., Boston, and 

 which the nature of the treatment I gave the subject, made it 

 quite impossible to do in the lecture as spoken. Other 

 authorities are cited and proper credit given in several places 

 in the article itself. 



Among the business topics considered by the Board at its 

 annual meeting was that in relation to the disposition of that 

 portion of the State Bounty to agricultural societies over 

 which the Board exercises control, viz., one-half. After a 

 full discussion of the same, it was decided that a part should 

 be o'ffered by the several county societies in premiums for 

 the growing of wheat and corn, as being among the leading 

 objects deserving of encouragement just at this time ; and a 



