Advancement of Agricultural Science. 365 



paration for the exercise of their intended calling, the elements 

 of physical science, and a few of the leading- principles of natural 

 history, should be inculcated at a time of life when the mind is 

 best capable of receiving them. And, lest it should be suspected 

 that, in adopting such an opinion, I have been biassed by a pre- 

 dilection for the studies Avith which I have myself been princi- 

 pally engrossed, and that I am suggesting schemes, which, with 

 reference to the practical ends of life, would be generally re- 

 garded as visionary and chimerical, it is my purpose to devote the 

 greater part of the present lecture to an account of some few of 

 those numerous public institutions which it has been judged by 

 foreign governments expedient to establish in their respective 

 countries, with a view to the very objects which I have just attempt- 

 ed to recommend as entitled to some consideration in our own. 



In this general survey, which is, however, chiefly confined to 

 those establishments which I have myself visited, I will begin 

 with the neighbouring kingdom of France, where the promotion 

 of agricultural science has for a long time past been regarded as 

 an object worthy to engage the attention of the state. 



On the Establishment at Grignon. 



In the immediate vicinity of Paris is an agricultural institution, 

 which, though in part supported by the subscriptions of individuals, 

 receives nevertheless, to a certain extent, the countenance and aid 

 of government. 



It was founded in 1829, for the purpose of offering to young 

 persons designed for husbandry an education partly of a theoretical 

 and partly of a practical character, and at its commencement the 

 only boon which was obtained from the nation consisted in the 

 permission conceded to it of making use of one of the old royal 

 palaces, that of Grignon, together with the domain attached, both 

 of which on certain conditions were placed at the service of the 

 establishment. The domain in question consists of about 474 

 hectares, or 1185 English acres, and comprehends a certain 

 amount of arable, pasture, wood, and marsh land, in quality and 

 value very various. 



It was presented by the government to the institution, not as 

 a free gift, but on the footing of a beneficial loan, the favourable 

 conditions of which were conceded in consideration of the pur- 

 poses of public utility aimed at by its projectors. 



The principle, in short, upon which the institution was origin- 

 ally conducted seems to have been as follows : — A certain number 

 of subscribers furnish capital enough to stock and cultivate the 

 domain of Grignon, made over to them at a valuation by govern- 

 ment. It is agreed that a rent of 5000 francs shall be considered 

 due annually from the (Company to the government, but that this 



