1 8 5 G .] Sj ien t ifie Agr icult ure — lis D 'ffic u It ies. 165 



more unyielding, or irrational practice more prevalent, than among those 

 who cultivate the eaith. And this is the more to be lamented as agri- 

 culture is still so far helmc the attainments to which it may fairly aspired 

 The late Gov. Silas Wright, of Xew York, says : — *' It has scarcely 

 occurred to the agriculturist, that the study of the principles of his 

 profession had any thing to do with his success ; or that \a hat he had 

 demanded //-owi his soils, should be considered in connection .with what 

 he is able to do for them, and what he is about to ask them to perform; 

 in short, that a profound science underlies agriculture, which demands 

 his closest study, his patient investigation." 



Once more : we quote the language of our excellent ex-governor Trimble, 

 while member of the State Board of Agriculture : — " We are in advance 

 of any State of our age, and many older, in the means we have provided 

 for tlie literary culture of our youth, but while we have numerous acade- 

 mies, and many well endowed colleges, we have not a single institution 

 in the State which prepares a young man for understanding, as a farmer, 

 the natural elements with which he deals, and for creating and applying 

 artificial elements for the improvement of the soil." 



These are only specimens of the views of our great ones, in relation to 

 the demands of this greatest of all interests. To collate them all would 

 fill a volume. And yet what is the fact? While there has been no 

 more popular theme, and politicians have been enthusiastic in praise of 

 the "rarmcr," though presidents, governors, and statesmen of every 

 grade, have recommended more attention to the great agricultural 

 interests of the country, and have advocated the establishment of insti- 

 tutions for the promotion of scientific agriculture ; while men of science 

 have petitioned Congress for aid but to endow a single professorsliip of 

 agricultural chemistry, in some of our colleges ; while hundreds of secular 

 presses, as well as those especially devoted to agriculture, have advo- 

 cated this important measure ; and yet again, while the people of these 

 States have endowed and now sustain over three hundred colleges, not 

 one such institution of a high character, has, heretofore, been established, 

 no, not even a professorship created, to elevate, dignify, or advance 

 directly and immediately, this noble pursuit ; while millions have been 

 expended upon our army and navy, and millions more improvidently 

 squandered out of the public treasury, the pittance doled out to agri- 

 culture, in connection with the Patent Office, though exerting an 

 immense influence for good, is scarce worth the mention. Yet, while 

 this destitution has been pointed out, and is seen, and by many deeply 

 felt, we are told that the time has not come to enter upon such a work : 

 we must wait till public sentiment is ready. 



