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rotation in crops and the judicious application of manures. Such are 

 a few of the many considerations which should induce the young 

 farmer to prepare for the duties of his vocation by some practical 

 progress iu chemical science. In such an attempt he will gain, more- 

 over, glimpses of the almost incredible benefits which this science is 

 yielding to every department of human welfare. Its tireless searchings 

 have developed innumerable resources of which antiquity had never 

 dreamed. It heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and clothes the naked. 

 It gives to subtle poison its antidote — to disease its specific — to calam- 

 ity its consolation — to danger its defence — turning night to day, it lights 

 up whole cities, and through a thousand avenues, adds to convenience 

 and gratifies taste. It catches and gives visibility to those viewless 

 images which quiver in untold myriads upon the undulations of light. 

 It extracts beautiful colors from crude ores — compels the earth to yield 

 her slumbering stores — pulverizes the shapeless rocks which have lain 

 useless upon earth's surface for ages, to fertilize the soil, and changes the 

 veiy stones to bread. It has infused its energies through every vein of 

 civilization. I(s life is measured by its rapid changes — by thrilling 

 events and crowded ideas; men live longer now than did Methuselah of 

 old. Such is one of the studies which the young farmer is earnestly 

 urged to pursue. While it stores his mind and cheers his efforts, it is 

 sure to conduce to his ultimate prosperity. 



It is one of the happiest features of the present that the means of 

 information are so widely sown that knowledge is becoming as common 

 as the air we breathe. A few well selected agricultural books and pa- 

 j)ers will pleasantly employ his interval of rest, or if he have leisure he 

 can soon resort to a State institution, where every branch of science 

 connected with his employment will be thoroughly and successfully 

 taught. I cannot close without paying a just tribute to the wisdom 

 which has furnished the citizens of Michigan, so many means for the 

 mental cultivation adapted to every condition and pursuit. Not another 

 State has so fully supplied, from the public resources, the educational 

 wants of the young. The common and union schools, which are access- 

 ible to all, lie at the basis of the entire system. The teacher has his 

 Normal school ; the general student his University ; the physician his 

 College j and a spacious and beautiful tract has lately been purchased, 



