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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



I have very hastily glanced at the manner in which the 

 old maxim that " knowledge is power" applies to those con- 

 nected with the soil by the rights of ownership or of occupa- 

 tion, and I cannot but think you will agree with me when I say 

 that a great benefit has been conferred upon the Midland 

 Counties by the sphere of scientific education in this college 

 being thus extended, and an opportunity afforded for ob- 

 taining such knowledge within the district. From the de- 

 partment of agriculture with which I am more immediately 

 connected I trust extensive benefit will be distributed 

 throughout the district — a district remarkable for the wealth 

 and intelligence of those connected with landed property ; 

 and it will, on all occasions, be my endeavour to co-operate 

 with the professors with whom I have the honour to be asso- 

 ciated in this department, in order that, both within the 

 walls of this institution as well as bej'ond its boundaries, 

 the application of science to the productions of the land may 

 be promoted; and I trust that ere long the students of this 

 college, as well as its officers, may be seen foremost amongst 

 tho«e most zealous for the progress of agricultural science 

 and practice. 



I would avail myself of this opportunity to explain to you 

 that the instruction in the Agricultural Division of the De- 

 partment of Science is adapted for two classes : First, for 

 those whose future position in life as proprietors of the land 

 or as occupiers of the soil renders it eminently desirable 

 that they should have a complete knowledge of the sciences 

 bearing upon agriculture and rural economy. Under a 

 powerful representation of the public necessity which ex- 

 ists for such a step, a Ro3'al charter has been recently 

 granted for the appointment of Examiners, who are em- 

 powered to grant diplomas in agriculture to persons duly 

 qualified to receive this honourable distinction. The system 

 laid down by the examiners requires proof of a satisfactory 

 and sufficient scientific and practical education. Two years' 

 attendance upon lectures is necessary before the candidate 

 can appear for his examination upon the science of agricul- 

 ture, and he must also reside upon a farm for two years 

 before he can appear for his examination in the practice of 

 agriculture. A complete staff of professors has been or- 

 ganized in Queen's College for preparing persons for their 

 examination in the science of agriculture ; and it is antici- 

 pated that the sons of many resident in the midland counties 

 will enter upon such a regular course of collegiate instruc- 

 tion with the advantage of being in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of their parents or guardians. Any gentleman 

 desirous of gaining fuller information upon this point, 

 should place himself in communication with the Rev. the 

 Warden of Queen College. 



But there is a second class for whom the Council have 

 made special arrangements, with a view to render this in- 

 stitution as valuable as possible to the district. I refer to 

 those whose engagements prevent them becoming regular 

 students in the College, and attending any extended suc- 

 cession of lectures. For their advantage, arrangements 

 have been made by which they may attend any sinyle 

 course of lectures, on payment of the professors' and the 

 college-feea ; and this arrangement applies to the course of 

 lectures upon the principles of agriculture which I am now 

 about to deliver in this college. I shall especially endea- 

 vour, whilst treating the subjects which come under my 

 consideration, to render the fundamental principles upon 



which the practice of agriculture is based, familiar to the 

 minds of my hearers ; and I venture to hope that many to 

 whom these subjects are now veiled in mystery and doubt 

 may thereby gain clear views of those beautiful processes of 

 nature which so wonderfully regulate the productions of 

 animal and vegetable life. Much of the agricultural litera- 

 ture of the present day is robbed of its interest and utility 

 by the large proportion who are unable fully to comprehend 

 the most important researches which are published in our 

 agricultural journals. To those persons whose duties pre- 

 vent any lengthened absence from their residences, the 

 present course of lectures offers an opportunity for gaining 

 an insight into the general principles of the science of agri- 

 culture ; but it must be remembered that, by a complete 

 system of lectures alone can any one hope to become fully 

 conversant with the science of agriculture. The present 

 course of lectures upon the principles which regulate the 

 production, preservation, and use of farm produce, may be 

 useful to those who cannot avail themselves of a more com- 

 plete course of instruction; but to every young man 

 destined for a rural life I would say. Do not content your- 

 self with a general summary \ but resolve rather upon be- 

 coming master of the subject, by attending the complete 

 series. 



I think 3'ou will agree with me that, great as have been 

 the advantages which have resulted from the assistance of 

 science, greater benefits are j'et to be developed from the 

 hearty co-operation now existing between all connected 

 with, or interested in, the soil. When we see the prin- 

 ciples of chemistry so powerfully aiding the farmer in the 

 economical production and employment of food and manure, 

 proving to him the value of the hidden stores beneath, 

 above, and around him, and teaching him how to use them 

 most advantageously ; when we see the kindred sciences 

 all contributing their help, and mechanics especially coming 

 forward with numberless contrivances for promoting the 

 production and preparation of our crops— as, for example, in 

 our steam-cultivators, which prepare, and ere long will sow, 

 the land ; our reaping machines, which gather the produce ; 

 and our thrashing machines, which prepare it for market — 

 we cannot fail to look forward into the future with bright 

 hopes for even greater progress. I do not imagine that any 

 agency is better calculated to promote this object than the 

 scientific education of those who are to become the actors on 

 the scene ; and I believe the time is not far distant when a 

 knowledge of the sciences connected with the arts of life 

 will be considered as essential to success as we now consider 

 a good school-education to be. 



The rising generation of farmers must not content them- 

 selves by preparing simply to reap the fruit which others 

 have laboured for : they must remember that they must 

 themselves become fellow-labourers in the cause, and con- 

 tribute towards the general prosperity of that department 

 with which their interests are most closely identified. It 

 will then be a source of gratification to the Council of 

 Queen's College, that they have in some degree contributed 

 to this happy result ; and you, gentlemen, may possibly 

 remember with pleasure having given your support and 

 encouragement to the early efforts made in the Agricultural 

 Division of the Department of Science in Queen's College, 

 Birmingham. 



