1 96 [Assembly 



There is a like necessity to enable our farmers to judge dis- 

 creetly in relation to the breeds of cattle best suited to their 

 locality — the breeds of sheep and swine that will yield them the 

 largest return at the least expense. We have in this State made 

 commendable progress in this direction, and much of it is justly 

 attributable to the influence of your Society ; but as yet we have 

 but entered upon the great field of scientific farming, '^ science 

 with practice." Far be it from me to assume the character of a 

 prophet, when I express my convictions that years to come are 

 to be marked by greater progress than anything to be found in 

 yeai's that have passed away. 



We need an educated and enlightened body of farmers. You 

 and I may have been successful in days past, without this pre- 

 paratory scientific training ; but such is not to be the fate of the 

 youn<;- man who, with fool-hardiness, rejects the light that is 

 shedding its rays around him because he is following in the 

 footsteps of his father. In a sparse population an industrious 

 man may gain the good will of those around him, and his toil 

 mav secure a measure of success. Home demand will sometimes 

 accept of homely production, but the time has come when the 

 world demands men fitted for their posts. It requires a master 

 mind to rise to eminence in any pursuit : agriculture, surely, is 

 not to be an exception. Our young men ask, and they have a 

 right to demand, that they should be fitted for their position. 



Much of this work of preparation can be done by the fireside 

 and the influence of right example; much more by the careful 

 perusal of your Transactions and valuable agricultural papers, 

 which ouglit to be read in every farmer's household, and carry 

 their truths to every heart, but after all, these do not and from 

 the nature of the case cannot meet all his wants. Too often the 

 recommendations given are too general in their character, and 

 the directions when followed, result in adding to the list of ex- 

 periments which have proved but failures. Farmers even may 

 try the same course of experiments and yet from unknown differ- 

 ence in soil or climate, may fail and the result prove entirely 

 different. Theories are put forth without sufficient practical 

 tests. Yet our farmers seem to feel that agriculture is a pursuit 

 of which a man can at once become a master, without aid from any 



