FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 267 



child of chance, — that we are to plow and sow, then abide the will of God for 

 tlie harvest, and our work and responsibility are done. Through a better 

 understanding of the laws of production, superinduced by a more universal 

 system of education, these theories of chance have been exploded, and the 

 inquiry to-day is to know more of the laws that govern the universe. We desire 

 to find the ways that lead to the greatest enjoyments as we travel the journey of 

 life; we desu-e to know more of the laws that govern the vegetable kingdom, — 

 "we have rejected the chance theory," and it becomes us to understand the 

 foundation of the structure on which we are resting our hopes. We desire to 

 understand more and better the animal kingdom, which has been made sub- 

 servient to man's interest. And Ave desire farther to learn the nature and 

 character of the insect world, that for inscrutable reasons are visiting us from 

 year to year, preying upon our crops, our stock, and our fruits. Above all do 

 we desire to pry deep into those laws of political economy which -will teach ns 

 how to select for profit, and especially how to dispose of our labors without 

 waste. In short, we desire to place the ancient and honorable art of agricul- 

 ture where it once stood in early time, — at the head of the professions. For 

 these reasons and others that might be mentioned this institute was called. It 

 is one of a series that are being held in the State this winter, having in view 

 the objects and purposes which we have stated. These institutes originated 

 "with our State Board of Agriculture last year, being principally conducted by 

 them and the faculty of the Agricultural College. We apprehend that they 

 were not fully satisfied with the results from the fact that they require parties 

 having the benefit of their instruction this year to do half the work, — in other 

 words, they must produce half the thought, although it may be crude, and ad- 

 vance half the theories, however thin. 



The committee Avho have charge of the programme have undertaken to pro- 

 vide for the presentation and discussion of every material question vitally 

 effecting the Hillsdale county farmer. These will be called up in due course, 

 and responded to by those who, from experience and observation, will be able 

 to instruct. Each subject will be open for discussion, and we invite criticism. 



As a means of making these sessions interesting and thoroughly practical, we 

 have Avitli us several of the faculty of the Agricultural College, — men who have 

 made the science of agriculture a study, Avho can talk agriculture both in theory 

 and practice, and who will favor you with at least one lecture each session on 

 •some particular branch. We expect some of the best agriculturists of the State 

 to take part in these councils with us. 



We look to permanent good to the agriculture of the county from this meet- 

 ing ; it cannot be otherwise, from the acquaintance formed, from the theories 

 advanced, from the systems elucidated and j^lans submitted — it must form a 

 mint of information to the thoughtful student from which he may draw inspira- 

 tion in after years from which to practice or experiment for a more beneficial 

 result than he has yet attained. 



It would have been a pleasure to me had the meeting that organized the insti- 

 tute selected a younger and more experienced person for permanent chairman. 

 I canriot, however, shrink from any duty imposed upon me that looks to the 

 elevation of the standard of agriculture in our county. 



In conclusion, we welcome you, farmers of the county, to this meeting, be- 

 cause of the desire you manifest in coming from the north and south, from the 

 east and west, through the frosts and cold of winter, to elevate and magnify 

 vour honoraljlc calling. AVe welcome vou, citizens and friends of other coun- 



o" 



