264 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To tlie question, vfhich in one form or other, has so often been 

 propounded for solution at the sessions of our Board, viz: "What 

 further means can be adopted for the promotion of agriculture?'' 

 a very brief and comprehensive answer might be given. Educate 

 the farmer. His education it is true, may never hejinished at any 

 school of man's making, but the youth may, at least, be taught to 

 appreciate the value and to feel the necessity of a kno\Yledge of the 

 principles which alone can safely guide his practice. He may be 

 taught how to commence study ^ so that, afterwards, while his bodily 

 powers are engaged in daily toil in the great laboratory of nature 

 whence his support is derived, he may, with only the aid of his own 

 trained and developed faculties, mentally prosecute scientific inves- 

 tigations which will yield both profit and satisfaction. 



The diffusion of knowledge is the only ^practicable method of 

 securing progress; says the celebrated Robert Hall, " all at- 

 tempts to urge men forward, even in the right path, beyond the 

 measure of their light, are impracticable if they were lawful, and 

 unlawful if they were practicable. Augment their liglit, conciliate 

 their affections and they will follow of their own accord." 



It is hopeless to attempt the extension of improved methods of 

 practice in agriculture until farmers either feel their necessity, or in 

 some good degree apprehend the grounds upon which they are pre- 

 sented and the reasons which exist why beneficial results may be 

 anticipated. It is safe to predict that agriculture will advance just 

 in proportion to the intelligence of those engaged in it. 



S. L. GOODALE, 

 Sccretaiy of the Board of Agriculture. 



January, 4th, 1860. 



