26 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



applicable to the business in hand. Algebra, geometry, trigo- 

 nometry, mechanics and optics, engineering, astronomy, climat- 

 ology, 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 01 

 studies more particularly 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, and 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 them — 

 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 suc- 

 cess 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 

 secured by the most familiar acquaintance. And with us, the 

 domestic economy of the farm, the farmer's home, his modes of 

 thought, his modes of labor, how he can best live on the land, 

 and be a good husbandman, in-doors and out, and a good citizen, 

 all form an important part of that education which is to elevate 

 and improve our agricultural population. I can hardly express 

 my high estimate of the opportunity for usefulness and distinc- 

 tion which falls to the lot of him who would organize a success- 

 ful agricultural school, as its president, its guide, its vitalizing 

 force. But next to him in the work stands the man who shall 

 demonstrate to that school the interesting results of an intelli- 

 gent and scientific appeal to the land, and shall unfold to them 



