156 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to know something of general science, of political economy, of taste and general 

 reading. The farmer should be educated in those studies which aim to make 

 him a thoughtful and intelligent citizen. Being the vast majority in numbers, 

 and sustaining the wheels of finance, of trade, manufactures and commerce, 

 the farmer has too much at stake to be behind any in education and influence. 



Our fatliers endured many hardshijDS and privations, but the young farmer of 

 to-day possesses a wealth of advantages for general culture enjoyed by no other 

 peojile. And, in Michigan, as well as in many other States, these advantages 

 are being improved, and the yield of cultivated mind is wonderful. 



But this culture of the mind in science, taste, and general reading should be 

 based on a higher consideration than that of mere moneyed jirofit. It should be 

 sought for its own sake and the pleasures which it brings to his home- The 

 farmer should have taste to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful in nature and in 

 art; taste to adorn his home, and his lawns with shrubbery, flowers, and works 

 of art; taste to admire the ripening fruits, and the living groups of animals 

 which he has reared. 



R. G. Baird, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, was next called 

 upon, who gave an address entitled "The Farmer's Home," followed by the 

 reading of a paper by Prof. Beal on "The Apple Orchard." Both of these are 

 given in the essays and addresses following this record of the Institutes. 



The following address was given by Mr. J. E. Taylor, of Eureka: 



THE AGRICULTUKAL FUTURE OF OUR YOUKG MEX. 



My subject may at first seem to be prophetic rather than philosophical, yet a 

 careful survey of its many fields of investigation, I believe, is ample to convince 

 one that the agricultural advancement of the next century may be predicted to 

 Avithin an approximate, if not an absolute certainty. 



The future we judge by the past, and by a careful comparison of statistics of 

 past and present generations do we judge of the liabilities of those who are yet 

 to rule both animate and inanimate nature. 



As we meditate over the gigantic strides of the agricultural art and science 

 during past centuries, we are forcibly impressed by the fact that man is au 

 industrious being ; incapable of remaining in any particular plane of life, he 

 must advance or recede. 



While a few have receded, many have advanced. China, whose people it is 

 said knew as much of agriculture two thousand years ago as they do to-day, 

 strikingly represents the indigent few, while the groat mass of the German, 

 English, French, and American people represent the industrious, progressive 

 horde who are slowly reducing agriculture to a regular system based upon em- 

 pyrical theories and scientific principles of known value. 



To one having a few hours' leisure time, no more interesting subject can be 

 found than antique agriculture.' The customs, habits, and systems of the ancient 

 husbandman are interesting because of their intrinsic peculiarities, as well as for 

 the light they throw upon modern principles. 



Behold the primeval man, first with a sharpened stick stirring the earth pre- 

 paratory to sowing the seed, then carefully gleaning the ears, then rubbing the 

 kernels out between his brawny j)alms. Two wooden trays and the four winds 

 of earth are his fanning-mill. His brightest dreams are of forked sticks, 

 used as plows, drawn by a horse, an ox, a cow, or an ass, — no difference which, — 

 and that hitched by the tail. I am not surprised if some of you think this only 

 a dream, but in the Irish Laws of Parliament of 1G34 may be found "An act 



