238 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



required about those particular subjects, we naturally go to 

 sources from which we can obtain complete information. Our 

 papers and our magazines provide us with the very best of 

 information about a good many things which in times gone by 

 we all of us here have spent considerable time upon. That 

 time was largely lost. I have no need to discuss that part of 

 this matter in detail. I think that some of the time, which, as 

 I say, is now devoted to subjects which might, with profit, be 

 eliminated, could be devoted to the study of some practical pur- 

 suit, like agriculture, or at least to the study of enough of it to 

 arouse in our children a love of agriculture. The prosperity 

 of the State of Connecticut depends upon agriculture. It de- 

 pends upon disseminating knowledge among our young people 

 in our country towns, in order that they may make a respectable 

 and successful living in agriculture, and in order to retain them 

 upon the farms. In my judgment a portion of our educational 

 work should be directed in that line. 



I was glad when the cities of the State introduced instruc- 

 tion in manual labor in their schools. They needed it. It was 

 badly wanted. You do not need that in our country schools, 

 because our boys are engaged in manual labor. From the time 

 they first exercise their muscles on farm labor, as long as they 

 stay upon the farm, they are getting all of the manual exercise 

 w^hich they need. In the summer they get it in the routine of 

 farm work. In the winter they get it on the wood pile which 

 is to be worked up, and about the farm. But that was some- 

 thing which was needed in the cities, and I was glad to see it 

 adopted. 



Let us devote a part of our work of education to agricul- 

 tural instruction. I think it will be an important element to the 

 future prosperity of the State. Let us eliminate a part of the 

 instruction now given in our schools and devote a certain time 

 to the study of agriculture. 



I was pleased to hear from the gentleman upon my left in 

 speaking of what has been done in Indiana. That very thing 



