ANNUAL ADDEESS. 273 



on equal ground with any other pursuit, by becoming a part of 

 a liberal education. It, too, has at last its students. The profes- 

 sor, equal to his task, extracts light from every kindred science. 

 His theories may be tested by experiment on the adjacent farm. 

 Thus, too, every invention and every improvement of this fruit- 

 fal age, connected with rural economy, may pass the crucible of 

 actual experiment ; every quackery exposed, and real utility as- 

 certained ; every seed and every plant gathered from distant na- 

 tions, cultivated; every animal, in every variety bred; and the 

 youth of Wisconsin, eye-witnesses of all, to adopt or reject as the 

 result recommends, and thus rapidly to diffuse the advantages 

 through every part of the State. Without some advantage of 

 this kind, the most valuable improvements are confined for years 

 to particular neighborhoods. It is too hazardous for individuals, 

 warned by frequent impositions or frequent failures, to encounter 

 the cost and consequent risk of making experiments." These 

 considerations plead loudly for agricultural schools — they knock 

 at the door of the Capitol, and with earnest petition address those 

 who have in charge the interests of the State. 



But there are other considerations beyond these more impor- 

 tant still, and which should move every true man to earnest, un- 

 yielding efforts on the behalf of the long neglected, long abused 

 interest of agriculture. Place it on a level with other and kind- 

 red interests — let the same generous provision be made for its 

 advancement and elevation — let the same legislative aid be ex- 

 tended it, and let it have its bountifully supplied and wisely 

 adapted means and facilities, and the results in a moral point of 

 view could hardly be computed because of their magnitude. The 

 Profession of Agriculture, returned to its original position and 

 rank, "ennobled by the fostering hand of government," is at 

 once shorn of all that now renders it repulsive, and made attrac- 

 tive and dignified with learning, adorned with science and phU.- 

 osophy, vigorous and healthful because of improvement, it in- 

 vites and wins, and an influence goes out from it to water and 

 make green the parched and desert-places of the world. Other 

 professions now crowded because considered more honorable, 

 would be relieved of their burthening excess of numbers, and 

 g2 



