STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 197 



mental farm in connection with the proposed college, I requested the 

 opinion of the officers of the State Agricultural Society as to the kind of 

 institution required, and as to the propriety and feasibility of conducting 

 agricultural studies or experiments without such experimental farm. 

 The repl^^ of Mr. Hoag was in confirmation of mj- own views: 



"The Act of Congress donating the land describes the very kind of 

 institution we wanton this coast; one in which those branches of learn- 

 ing relating to agriculture and the mechanic arts shall have prominence; 

 in which the education of the student shall be liberal and practical, so 

 that he shall be fully prepared to successful!}^ undertake the several pur- 

 suits and professions of life. This embraces the whole scope of physical 

 and exact sciences ; for all are required in prosecuting and particular!}" 

 imj)roving agriculture and the mecbanic ar'ts. They must all be taught, 

 and taught practically. The hi-ancbes of learning relating to agriculture 

 can be thus taught onl}- in an institution possessing all the facilities of 

 an extensive laboratory, for an examination of all the materials of which 

 the earth is composed, and for an analytical examination of all the pro- 

 ducts of the earth. It must also possess the facilities of testing the con- 

 clusions drawn from experiments in the laboratory", by applying them 

 directly and practically to the operations of the farm, where the chemical 

 actions are performed bj' nature herself in her own great and well 

 appointed laboratory." 



Hence an experimental farm is a prime necessity to such an institu- 

 tion. The value of experimental farming has been demonstrated in 

 France under the patronage of the Emperor, who has done more for the 

 improvement of agriculture and rural economy during the last ten years, 

 than all the other rulers of Europe. In addition to lectures on agricul- 

 ture and horticulture, delivered by first rate men in the Capital and in 

 the provinces, agriculture is taught bj' precept and example on experi- 

 mental farms, with excellent results. There are hundreds of agricul- 

 tural schools in Europe, some wholly sustained by Clovernment, others 

 b}- private effort, and some by the two united. With scarcely an excep- 

 tion, whether independent schools or dependent on colleges for their 

 teachers, each is connected with a farm. The great advance in agricul- 

 tural chemistry in Europe is due to the constant experiments conducted 

 in these institutions. 



The valuable results produced bj" this sj'stem in Europe have excited 

 emulation in the United States; but from a variet}^ of causes such 

 schools have not been so numerous or well sustained here, the principal 

 reason being, probably, that the fertility, abundance, and cheapness of 

 our lands, render less necessar}" the efforts of scientific men to supply 

 the drain on the resources of nature. The exuberant productiveness of 

 our domain, far excelling the capacity of artificial stimulation, and the 

 readiness with which worn farms may be exchanged for virgin soil, 

 prevent the interest that would be otherwise felt in agricultural chem- 

 istry. Yet several agricultural schools, under the patronage of State 

 governments and private liberality, are in comparatively successful pro- 

 gress, and in every instance in connection with experimental farms. I 

 must confess that I am among those who " argue that an agricultural 

 school would be an absurdity without mn experimental farm attached." 

 The school may be disi)ensed with from considerations of its cost, incon- 

 venience, or doubtful benefit; but if it is established, the ftirm is an 

 indispensable auxiliary. In the great number of such institutions in 



