FARMERS' CLUBS. 49 



learn by application, all the parliamentary rules required in the 

 government of a deliberative assembly. A year's practice here 

 will qualify him for moderator at the town meeting-, or chairman 

 of a political convention ; and when he enters the legislature, he 

 will not be surprised to find his name among those who are candi- 

 dates for Speaker. His knowledge of local affairs, and correct 

 administration of public matters, will call him to places of still 

 higher trust and responsibility, until he reaches the goal of a 

 worthy ambition, the highest gift of a free and intelligent people — 

 the proud spot where the lamented Lincoln stood, where Gen. 

 Grant stands now ! 



The other officers of the association have similar opportunities 

 for improvement, while all learn to express valuable thoughts with 

 ease, in a clear and forcible manner, in extemporaneous discus- 

 sion, or in the essay form. . 



This familiar association leads to thought, reading, careful obser- 

 vation and research. The expressions of one excite expressions in 

 others, and thus new powers of mind are developed, the imagina- 

 tion awakened, and a comprehensive use of language secured. 



Let us now inquire — What is the most important knowledge to 

 the farmer ? Briefly, it is the same which is important in every 

 other profession — a knowledge of the principles, or the laws of 

 nature. That is, when a boy studies arithmetic at school, the 

 teacher refers him to certain rules which govern the whole pro- 

 ceeding ; they express the nature of the subject. Step by step 

 he observes these rules, and thus masters the task before him. 

 This should be the object of all education, to fix principles in the 

 mind of the student which shall enable him to understand the 

 details which are governed by these principles. 



The farmer, or the mechanic, cannot be much benefitted, even 

 by a profound knowledge of a single science, standing alone. A 

 thousand times more profitable would be a less perfect acquaint- 

 ance with several sciences. It would be more valuable to him to 

 know something of geology and botany, animal physiology and 

 hydraulics, than how to build the Pacific Railroad or Victoria 

 Bridge, and nothing of these other branches. 



It is assumed by some that the science of chemistry includes 



most of the knowledge that is involved in agriculture. By others, 



that vegetable x^hysiology, or a thorough knowledge of the elements 



of which the vegetable structure is composed, is the most impor- 



4 



