CONNECTION OF THE BOARD WITH THE COLLEGE. 225 



and enterprising farmer for the improvement of his flocks and 

 herds, then it is that the philosophy of Agassiz plants its fnot upon 

 the earth and benefits mankind. Tlie knowlcMlgc which science 

 has already unfolded belongs to the farmer, if he will but accept 

 and exercise it. And the best teacher of agriculture is he who can 

 present this knowledge written out upon the fields and gardens, 

 which his own intelligent skill has brought u)) to usefuluoss and 

 beauty. The best agricultural college is that which sends foilh 

 from its halls a band of successful cultivators, admiring and believ- 

 ing in nature, because they are familiar with her laws. This may 

 be called an industrial school, perhaps ; and it may be deemed 

 unworthy of the high position which a New England State should 

 take as a fountain of the highest knowledge. But lot such a col- 

 lege once be established here — a college in which the th'.'ory of 

 the student will receive the stamp of its actual value — a college in 

 which the experiment of the laboratory will be put to a final test 

 — a college in which all the best culture of the schools will be so 

 moulded and directed as to give ns a cultivated population, devoted 

 to the land, with an understanding of its mysteries, and devoted 

 to social and civil life, with a proper and refined conception of 

 their duties — give us a college like this, and New England will 

 have accomplished an educational work, which will give her an 

 influence wherever land is divided among freemen and cultivated 

 by an intelligent yeomanry. Nearly half a century ago, one of the 

 best observers, thinkers and writers on agricultural topics in this 

 country, one of the earliest advocates of agricultural education, 

 labored for an institution like this. I refer to Judge I'niol of 

 Albany. In his correspondence I find the following: " I consider 

 the plan suggested by the Albermarle Society as defective, inas- 

 much as it makes agriculture an auxiliary study. It ought to be 

 the principal, and botany, chemistry, polite literature, &c., made 

 subservient to this great study. The pupil should go to it with 

 the express view of learning to be a farmer, and should be taught 

 so much science, blended with experimental and practical know- 

 ledge, as should best promote this primary end. Of what vast 

 importance would a well-conducted experimental farm connected 

 with such an institution soon become to the agricultural interest, 

 and to the Union at large." 



I do not think that a practical agricultural college would be 

 derogatory to the dignity of any State, or that it would belittle 

 and cramp those engaged in the business of conducting it. lie 

 15 



