ANNUAL ADDRESS. 271 



We are far from supposing that mere hook knowledge will ren- 

 der men good farmers ; but we do contend that it is absolutely 

 essential, for the successful prosecution of the business of Agri- 

 culture, that the nature of the materials with which we have to 

 deal — the capabilities and deficiencies of the various soils — ^their 

 adaptation to the various crops to be grown, and how they 

 should be cultivated with reference to the most abundant yield, 

 — together with the proper rotation of crops— the right applica- 

 tion as to time, place and quantity of appropriate manures, 

 should all be carefully studied and well anderstood. 



Agricultural societies and fairs, and our agricultural journals, 

 are aiding largely in the work of improvement to which I have 

 referred. The exhibition which we have here witnessed — the 

 fine display of farm produce and of stock, from the rich fields of 

 Wisconsin — the occasion furnished for combining the experien- 

 ces of hundreds in the several departments of their one pursuit, 

 and for mutual advice, counsel, instruction and encouragement — 

 all are calculated to incite to improvement, to awaken a spirit of 

 healthful competition, and to lead on to prosperity and wealth 

 beyond what can now be conceived. 



But more aids are required than these can supply. It is par- 

 ticularly needed that the profession of agriculture be made one 

 of the learned professions. It is a very great mistake, " that 

 there is less talent required for a thorough knowledge of the sci- 

 ence of agriculture than of other pursuits, or that less time or at- 

 tention are necessary ; and the very erroneous opinion that every 

 man may succeed in the occupation of farming without reflection 

 or experience, has resulted in injury only. It ought to be un- 

 derstood, that no man can be a farmer by instinct-— any more 

 than he can be a lawyer or a physician by instinct. 



He needs to be educated— he requires all the help that can 

 possibly be furnished him. The business of agriculture has been 

 considered degrading, because those engaged in it have been 

 content with a low standard ; and farmers, even, have helped to 

 bring it into disrepute, not only through a lack of self-improve- 

 ment, but by devoting the genius, talent and energies of their 

 sons to others, and as conceived, more respectable callings. 



