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the length and breadth of the undertaking, to compass which is the 

 mission — the life purpose of the genuine lover of agriculture. I will, 

 however, only mention those subjects that science embraces and gives 

 light upon ; that study and practice will not only enable you to compass 

 but acquire. I shall therefore not insist upon common sense; for that is 

 not learned at the schools, at the fireside, or in the field. It is a per- 

 manent staple of the country. But if one among you be unluckily 

 bom without it — pity him — he is not a farmer. He has no bent for 

 this sensible pursuit. Train him for another occupation ; place him in 

 another sphere, where a knowledge of the books, of other men's thoughts 

 and common sense will answer the exigencies of his business, but don't 

 encourage him to cultivate the earth, for he would only waste his sweet- 

 ness on a desert air. 



In calling your attention to the subjects that are worthy of early and 

 continued study, I will not, I hope, be accused of disparaging the labors 

 of such men as have prosecuted the business by the light of experience; 

 and, without the knowledge of first principles, in the abstract, have ar- 

 rived at the same general conclusions, that the more learned have formed 

 by the process of reasoning from cause to effect. 



When the premises, in their natural condition, are pointed out where 

 the future operations of the pioneer farmer are to be conducted, he sees 

 it covered with timber and useless shrubbery, which have to be re- 

 moved. How can that be done with the greatest economy ? There 

 may be valuable timber — which is it? By what criteria shall it be 

 known, and for what purposes is it valuable ? Will it bo more valuable, 

 or less 60, by lapse of time ? These questions are practical, and must 

 be answered. If answered incorrectly, great losses may ensue. Any 

 laborer may inform him hoio to remove the timber; and he is himself 

 advised on this subject, whether he has been trained to agriculture or 

 not; for he knows that an axe, wielded by the strong arm, will soon 

 prostrate, and fire consume it. But he would know when the axe 

 should be applied, and when the fire, and how the axe can be applied 

 so as to facilitate the burning. These questions can be well answered 

 by experience, but in deciding when to cut timber, that the vegetable 

 life may not survive and sprout again, science may aid experience. The 

 considerations which regard the value of the timber, and indeed, of any 

 of the original products of the earth, or those which arise as the fruits 



