16 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



could better expend fifty dollars than in a premium for the sim- 

 plest and best system of farm book-keeping, and have it made a 

 study in all our public schools. With such a system, any farmer 

 could tell what any product of the farm cost him, and know what 

 to do in the future. 



I have been surprised to see how little care farmers take to in- 

 form themselves what the fertilizers they buy return them. Ask 

 almost any one of them this question, and he will say, "My crop 

 was better for using the special fertilizer, but how much I never 

 troubled myself to know." Is there any other business but farming 

 in all our country that could be conducted on the plan our farmers 

 pursue? I don't believe there is or can be. If they could only 

 know the facts, their success in some things would stimulate them 

 to do more in that line, and knowing what they lost in other 

 lines would make them stop the leaks, and in time their barrel 

 would be full. 



There is one new institution in our State, the " Storrs' Agricul- 

 tural School," opened about eighteen months ago, that is, I think, 

 worthy, and should have the full and hearty support of every 

 agriculturist in this State. As is known to many of you, in Janu- 

 ary, 1881, Messrs. Augustus and Charles Storrs of Brooklyn, 

 N. Y., gave to this State a farm of one hundred and seventy acres 

 of land, with a commodious school building, and necessary barns 

 and out-buildings, — all well fitted for purposes of instruction. This 

 generous gift was accepted by the State, and a board of trustees 

 appointed to organize the school. This school is now about to 

 close the first term of its second year. It has now eighteen boys, 

 between fifteen and twenty years of age; and I do not believe a 

 better or more manly class of boys can be found in any school in 

 the whole country. We have been highly favored in having two 

 teachers who, besides being competent as teachers of the various 

 branches studied, have been just the men to mould and train such 

 young minds, and develop manly traits of character, and fit them 

 to go out into a world that needs more men of sterling character 

 and sound judgment. The boys of to-day will be the men of the 

 near future. 



I am glad we have one of these gentlemen here, who will tell 

 you of its modes of study, and the work it is trying to do. Gen- 

 tlemen, please inform yourselves about this school; it is the 

 farmers' school, and should have your attention, sympathy, and 



