388 [Senate. 



labor, by a knowledge of the elementary properties and latent pow- 

 ers of matter in its innumerable forms, by the combined and irresisti- 

 ble force of numbers acting in concert, and each possessing all those 

 materials of thought and action which the collected wisdom of pre- 

 ceding ages could supply, — modern civilization has attained a point 

 from which it can survey the certain triumphs which are still in re- 

 serve for it in its future progress. Among those triumphs, one of 

 first and most important in its influences upon the general ameliora- 

 tion of humanity, must be reckoned the highest and most perfect 

 and complete development of the productive powers of the earth — 

 the triumph of agricultural science. Whatever may be the prin- 

 ciples upon which the distribution of the wealth of nations and com- 

 munities is regulated, here must be found its source : and while^ 

 without impeaching the wisdom and justice of Providence, we cannot 

 doubt the inexhaustible capacity of the soil to supply the wants of 

 all living things, we have only intelligently to avail ourselves of 

 the means thus abundantly provided for our use, to secure that per- 

 fect dominion over the earth and its products which was the original 

 birth-right and the heritage of humanity. 



I have now, my dear sir, only to apologize for the length of this- 

 communication, and to subscribe myself, 



Very respectfully. 



Your ob't servant, 



S. S. RANDALL. 



ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STUDY OF AGRICUL- 

 TURE INTO OUR COMMON SCHOOLS, AND OF AGRI- 

 CULTURAL BOOKS INTO OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES, &c. 



BY H. S. RANDALL, ESQ.* 



Having been unable, from a pressure of other avocations, to reply 

 to the inquiries addressed to me by the society's committee " for pro- 

 moting the introduction of Agricultural books in Schools and Libra- 

 ries," — I avail myself of the opportunity presented by your circular^ 

 to lay the results of my experience and reflection on a subject of so 

 much interest, briefly before the Society, 



I regard the question as to the propriety and expediency of intro- 

 ducing the study of agriculture, (for 1 suppose this is involved in the 

 introduction of the " books,") into our common schools, as merely 

 one of time. That its elementary principles should, ultimately, form 

 a part of the education of a people, so essentially agricultural as our 

 own, scarcely admits of doubt. 



* Superintendent of Common Schools for Cortland county, N. Y, 



