1)2 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the glare and glamour which so delight and dazzle youthful eyes, the' 

 contrast in the inducements of the city and the countiv was not so 

 marked as it appears now to be. If the city iis all the time enhancing 

 its claims to favor, the country must look to see what it can do to re- 

 tain its hold on the affection and interest of the people. Is it doing 

 this most necessary thing? Tlie statistics of New England farming, 

 towns indicate that it has failed sadly in this respect. And yet the 

 remedy is plain. Life on the farm must be made more satisfactory 

 and eniovable financiallv. ivstheticallv and socially. Granted that it 

 ought to be, the next step brings us to the question, How can it be- 

 accomplished? 



I fully believe the possession of a knowledge of the natural sciences^ 

 by the farmers and the farmers' wives, their sons and daughters, will 

 do not a little in increasing the profits and pleasures of their life 

 on the farm, and for this reason I have gladly chosen this topic for 

 my theme this eveninoj. 



The financial benefits which a knowledge of the natural sciences 

 may give the farmer are so obvious that it would seem little, if any- 

 thing, need be said on this part of the subject. It must be appar- 

 ent to the most superficial thinker that he whose business is so closely 

 connected with nature and whose income is so largel}* dependent on 

 the cause and etlect of natural principles should, of all men, be well- 

 acquainted with those principles, should know how far he must govern' 

 and direct them for his own advantage, when to look for exceptions and' 

 when to apply the rule ordinary results have established. Tbe need of 

 an acquaintance with the elements of the soil and the additions- 

 requisite to bring forth the most desirable and profitable crops is mani- 

 fest to every one. Tlie kinds of feed most nutritious and which can be- 

 most economically combined are subjects of great importance and* 

 if only guessed at are quite likely to be followed by lean stock and a- 

 lean purse in the pocket of a discouraged farmer. To know the 

 right wav to manage these things he should have a knowledge of ag- 

 ricultural chemistry. Tiie kinds of insect and other animal life not 

 gathered into barns are matters with which the farmer has constantly 

 to deal. Which are his friends, which his enemies, he surelv ought 

 to know ; what the nature of this, what the habits of that, are things 

 he certainly needs understand. Here, an acquaintance with natural 

 history will be of great assistance. The varied forms of plant life, 

 the manner in which each species is reproduced, the benefits of some, 

 the injury of others, a knowledge of botan}' will assist greatly to- 



