THE CINCINNATUS. 



Dol. 1. APRIL 1, 1856. JTo. 1 



DIFFICULTIES AND DISCOURAGEMENTS IN THE ESTAB- 

 LISHMENT OF INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION 

 OF SCIENTIFIC A G RI C U L T U RE — PL AN TO BE PUR- 

 SUED. 



In the first Duml:)er of the ** Cincinnatvs " the defects of our present 

 syst'^ni of agriculture are briefly stated, and its remedies considered. In 

 that discussion we were led to the conclusion, that to science — to apjjUed 

 science — we must look for any radical or salutary reform; and, conse- 

 quently, before agriculture can realize what is desired, we must have 

 instil utions, manned with efficient and able instructors, who shall be 

 provided with text-books, libraries, apparatus, and a sufficient quantity 

 of ground to test, experimentally, the principles and doctrines taught. 



We now propose to notice " soine of the difficulties and discourage- 

 ments in the way of the successful esfahlishment of such institutions, and 

 the plan to he pursued " in view of them. 



It can not be denied, that of the true principles of tillage, the greatest 

 ignorance and indifference prevail, and that the evils consequent are 

 aggravated and wide-spread, and constantly increasing ; and while expe- 

 rience has satisfied incredulity itself, that knowledge is as needful to 

 the agriculturist as to any other class of society, it must appear passing 

 strange to every reflecting mind, that a pursuit having such intimate con- 

 nection with physical- science, predicating so uniformly and so exclusively 

 its practice upon its principles, should have commanded no more attention, 

 even among tho=e of scientific experience and research. True, our lead- 

 ing statesmen and political economists have frequently adverted to this 

 subject, and urged its importance upon public attention ; but to what 



VOL. I., NO. IV. — 11. 



