606 



scienocH that multiply our powers to accomplish useful objecte and adcP 

 to the sum of individual and national wealth and happiness, alone stand 

 the rigid tests we apply to everything claiming public favor. Alison, 

 the great English historian, in speaking of this practical tendency of 

 our character, indulges in a panegyric of the useless nonsense of the 

 past, and thus sneeringly alludes to us : " Nothing is studied but what 

 will render the human mind prolific of dollars." The insinuation is 

 fa]8e. 



Utility is the object aimed at — dollars the mere consequence. The 

 useful is the national idea ; and in things practical, therefore, we excel 

 the world. We are glad to know that the World's Exhibition in New 

 York will cany to every nation of the globe, the grave and irapoiiant 

 lesson, that the Americans are a practical and progressive people. It 

 win be worth more to us than any national triumph we have ever yet 

 obtained. ^ 



We have said that our coming together to-day was to advance agri- 

 cultural interests, and hope the knowledge of agriculture, both as a sci- 

 ence and an art, will be increased thereby. We have now but entered 

 the road to improvement. We must press forward to still greatei- ad- 

 vancement. In every age, agriculture has marked the progress of civi- 

 lization. The useful arts are its attendants, and just in proportion as it 

 is prospered, will manufactures and commerce prosper. The busy 

 wheel and dashing prow are moved by no other impulse ; and yet, a 

 few brief yeai-s since, experience was the sole light to guide the farm- 

 er's efforts. A new day has dawned, and enlightened science yields its 

 thousand aids. Those are yet living who were among the first to apply 

 the discoveries of chemistiy to agriculture, to examine and analy7,e 

 soils, to inquire into the constituent elements of plants and their food, 

 to investigate the relative value of animal and vegetable manures and 

 the method of their application, and make, as it were, a chart, by which 

 the farmer can guide his labors. The time is coming, when the world 

 shall know that the skill 



" That graces life, tijat lightens toil, 

 May spring from courage more aubUme, 

 Than that whicli makes a realm a spoil." 



To the eye of the agricultural chemist the whole earth is one vast 

 labratory, and every growing thing or blade of grass, is illustrating 

 some principle or law of Nature. 



