AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 471 



institution to all the tillers of the soil, yet to it should be 

 drawn those of all classes and conditions. And they should 

 there find all the allurements and attractions with which science 

 can invest this, the noblest of all arts. Let the young man be 

 here imbued with the wisdom of all experience in agriculture, 

 with all that science has as yet revealed of the constitution and 

 capacities of the earth he is to till; let him be quickened 

 to push still further his researches and experiments into un- 

 explored regions, and bring back some new fruits for practical 

 application, and he will come back to the every day realities 

 of practical life a new man, equal to every emergency, and com- 

 petent for any undertaking. 



For one moment picture to yourselves that entire generation 

 of young men in this Commonwealth, who are just now entering 

 upon the active duties and responsibilities of life, coming forth 

 from such an institution, educated as I have described, cultivat- 

 ed in mind and in all habits of industry and frugality, quicken- 

 ed with a love of knowledge, and pervaded with a zeal that 

 shall beget improvement — and what, let me ask, may we not 

 hope at their hands ? How, under such a generation of farmers, 

 would the surface of the earth clothe itself anew as with a gar- 

 ment ! How would the waste places bud and blossom, and 

 bear fruit ! The barren fields' would wake into newness of life. 

 The flocks would, in very truth, be led into green pastures, and 

 the herds by the still waters. Fruit and ornamental trees 

 would cover the nakedness of our hill-sides, and comfort and 

 competence would bask in the sunshine of a golden age. Here- 

 in is our hope. On such a day does expectation wait. No 

 man can draw a fancy picture of the result. I believe I shall 

 have your assent, that could one whole generation be thus 

 educated, no sketch of mine could portray in too high a color- 

 ing the result of their labors. The imagination would fall 

 limping behind the reality in such a march of improvement. 



I cannot presume upon your time or patience long enough to 

 enter at all into the details of such an undertaking. I can only 

 attempt to gather the thoughts, the aspirations, and hopes of 

 the farmers who may hear me, upon some object kindred to 

 this. When that is done througliout the State, then will be 

 overcome the greatest obstacle now in our path — the reluctance 



