418 [Senate 



matter, shows that it should be better understood ; for it is only by 

 a knowledge of the habits of insects, that the best means of obviating 

 their attacks can be applied. 



Mr. H. thought the establishment of a Model and Experimental 

 Farm, under judicious management, would be a very effectual means 

 of advancing the agricultural interest. He urged this matter with 

 much earnestness, and advanced various arguments in favor of such 

 an institution. Its great design and object should be the decision of 

 doubtful points in husbandry and rural economy. There, the various 

 breeds of animals might be subjected to an impartial test, and their 

 relative value for specific purposes, fairly made known. Theories, 

 deducible from experiments in the laboratory, are being every day 

 thrown before the public. These, would there be subjected to the 

 test of field culture — nature's laboratory ; and without such tests, they 

 could never become safe guides to the farmer. These points will 

 never be decided by individuals acting in their ordinary capacity. 

 Some persons are incapable of conducting experiments in such a 

 manner that correct inferences can be drawn from them. Others can- 

 not afford to risk time and money upon uncertain results; and others 

 are so biassed in favor of some favorite theory, as to preclude the 

 possibility of arriving at the true result of an experiment. An esta- 

 blishment conducted by competent persons, with a single eye to the 

 development of truth, would be liable to none of these difficulties or 

 objections. 



The appointment of an agricultural missionary , or lecturer, Mr. 

 H. said, would, as he believed, be an important auxiliary, in con- 

 nection with other means, of advancing the cause of agricultural 

 improvement. We may find in other countries an example in point. 

 Mr. Blacker of Ireland, and Prof. Johnston of Scotland, have rendered 

 very important services by their labors of this kind. It was not to be 

 expected, perhaps, that an individual could be found for this business, 

 whose opinions were in all respects so perfectly orthodox that no one 

 could possibly make any objections to them; nor was it necessary 

 that a lecturer of infallibility should be procured. The great benefit 

 which would accrue from his mission and exhortations, would be the 

 stimulus given to study and investigation. Farmers would be 

 aroused — they would devote their thoughts to their business — an ex- 

 amination would be commenced, to ascertain the truth of any new 

 doctrines which might be promulgated ; and the result could not fail 

 to be beneficial. 



Dr. D. Lee, of the Assembly, observed, that Sir Humphrey Davy 

 had defined Science to be " refined common sense." Mr. L. thought 

 the use of this " science," or this form of " common sense," would 

 greatly advance the agricultural interest. He thought the farmer 

 should be better educated — especially, that he should have more of 

 that kind of knowledge which would enable him to reap a bet- 

 ter return for his labor — would enable him to keep more of what 

 he earns. Ten days' work of the farmer, Dr. L. said, frequently did 

 not bring him more than one day's work brought the lawyer. He 

 thought the diffusion of knowledge, of the right kind, would tend to 



