SECRETARY'S REPORT. 261 



have been named before he may venture upon the practice of agri- 

 culture. What we argue for, is, that he should obtain such a degree 

 of elementary acquaintance with the sciences related to his calling 

 as will enable him to avoid gross errors, to detect plausible humbugs, 

 to improve upon what is merely traditional and empirical in prac- 

 tice, and, more than all, to qualify himself for prosecuting inquiries 

 and investigations as opportunity may arise, to put himself into a 

 teachable attitude, and to profit by the researches and discoveries of 

 the men who devote their whole lives to the prosecution of the several 

 branches of science ; and this, it is believed, is something which is 

 practicable ; and whenever the necessity for it is generally felt, the 

 means of securing it will be provided as soon as methods shown to 

 be feasible are presented. 



Regarding the preferable method by which agricultural education 

 may be secured among us, 1 do not feel prepared to speak with pos- 

 itiveness. Agricultural Schools are numerous in Europe and they 

 include great variety both as to the courses of study and the methods 

 of instruction employed, but none of them seem exactly adapted to 

 the wants and genius of our people. Institutions have also been es- 

 tablished in this country from which the happiest results may be 

 confidently anticipated, but they are of too recent a date to be cited 

 as absolute proof. Until more fully advised regarding a distinct in- 

 stitution for teaching agriculture, I would incline to favor the intro- 

 duction of the study of natural science into all schools now existing 

 of a grade high enough to warrant such an introduction ; — the ex- 

 tent and thoroughness of the instruction to vary according to the 

 grade of the school. To the more advanced classes in our district 

 schools enough might be imparted to draw attention to its import- 

 ance, and to awaken an interest regarding the wonderful objects and 

 operations of nature by which the pupils are daily surrounded, and 

 to excite the desire for further knowledge. The introduction of 

 these studies into our common schools would be a recomition of their 

 value and importance, and a generation would soon grow up, im- 

 bued with new and enlarged views and realizing the necessity of 

 such education as their fathers never did. 



But it is to our high schools, academies and other seminaries of 

 learning, whence the instruction is to be looked for, Avhich is more 

 fully to meet this great want ; and these, with qualified instructors 

 and suitable apparatus might accomplish great good. 



