338 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



often said, we know ; but it must be often repeated, until such an 

 impression is made on the public mind that the desired object 

 shall be accomplished. Farmers must understand something of 

 agricultural chemistry. I do not say that they must become 

 chemists ; but I do mean to say that they should be so far familiar 

 with those great facts and principles most intimately connected 

 with their peculiar calling, that when they read of phosphates, 

 carbonates, sulphates, nitrates, and the like, these things shall 

 not be myths, but something they fully comprehend. 



How greatly must it detract from the satisfaction of a farmer 

 at the present day, to be utterly ignorant of terms he constantly 

 meets with in newspapers and other publications ? How much 

 of what is written for his advantage must be lost by his want 

 of a knowledge of even the vocabulary of agricultural science ? 



But it may be asked, where is the remedy for all this ? How 

 can the farmer who toils from day to day, and year to year on 

 his farm and amidst his flocks, acquire knowledge of this sort ? 



We answer, in the first place he must be brought to feel the 

 want of it, and such a desire to obtain it as will impel him to tlie 

 necessary exertion. If farmers did feel this want and had this 

 desire, the means would be within their reach. Where there is 

 a will there is a way. 



We know very well that this appears a formidable matter, 

 and the idea that farmers may become intelligent on the chemis- 

 try and geology of agriculture is regarded by many as quite 

 visionary ; yet we feel assured, all this will be realized, and that 

 the time is already come, when the work of enlightening the 

 people on this subject should be commenced in good earnest. 



It is not sufficient, however, to say that this can and ought to 

 be done ; those Avho insist upon it are bound to show its feasi- 

 bility, and point out some means actually within the reach of 

 the great mass of those engaged in agriculture. 



In meeting this point then, as we shall endeavor to do in the 

 most connnon sense manner, we shall say first, negatively, that 

 this can never be accomplished by sending the farmers' sons to 

 an agricultural college to be instructed. That is clearly impos- 

 sible. Farmers are the great mass of the people, and how can 

 they, from their very numbers, be educated at college ? And 

 then the expense could never be encountered by the farming 

 interest, nor could the sons be spared from the farms, nor would 



