234 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



mology, &c. An experimental farm and a botanical g-arden were 

 also connected with this establishment, as well as a repository and 

 manufactory of agricultural implements." 



I have enumerated these schools because I know that their 

 results are such as must recommend them to the judgment of every 

 successful and enlightened farmer. The well cultivated acres 

 around a college building-, and the success of those cultivators 

 who have been taught on those acres and within the halls, are the 

 testimony which will Aveigh upon the minds of an observing 

 community. 



In a community like ours there exists a necessity, it is true, for 

 instruction in all those branches which constitute what we call a 

 good education, as well as those which are immediately applicable 

 to the business in hand. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, " 

 mechanics and optics, engineering, astronomy, climatology, all 

 belong to the course of study which should prepare every mind 

 for the work of life. Of languages, French and German open rich 

 stores to the agricultural reader. Of sciences, geology, chemistry, 

 botany, anatomy, zoology, belong especially to the well-educated 

 farmer — each one tending to throw light upon his profession. 

 Beyond this is opened the great range of studies more particxilarly 

 applicable ; and we desire, by books and lectures, to secure all the 

 knowledge possible upon landscape gardening, rural architecture, 

 domestic animals, their increase, improvement, use, feeding, health 

 and disease, — animal and vegetable physiology, the cultivation of 

 plants, pomology, practical agriculture, &c. And still further on, 

 a familiar knowledge of the processes of the farm should surmount 

 the whole, aijd make the system complete. The association of the 

 scholar with the fields, and flocks, and herds of the farm, until he 

 has learned their mysteries — so far as man may learn tliem — is all 

 important. In no profession, unless it be that of medicine, are 

 constant observation, quick perception, a cultivated eye, ready 

 resource, more important than in agriculture. The success of its 

 practice depends mainly on an ability to adapt any system of 

 farming to surrounding circumstances, and to decide quickly and 

 readily to what animals and to what cultivation the land is adapted. 

 I will not say, here, for the sake of argument alone, that the good 

 farmer must love his profession ; but I will say, that between the 

 good farmer and his land and animals there must be a sort of secret 

 understanding, which can only be secui'ed by the most familiar 

 acquaintance. And with us, the domestic economy of the farm. 



