386 Advancement of Agrknliural Science. 



proportionately of greater moment that the foundations themselves 

 should be secure. 



So great, indeed, appear to be the advantages, when balanced 

 against the expense of such a scheme, at least on the small scale 

 on which I should propose to have the experiments conducted, 

 that one might look forward with sanguine hope to the speedy 

 establishment of one or more farms of this description, if the 

 gentry who interest themselves in agricultural matters were only 

 well informed on those branches of physical science which bear 

 a near relation to the successful culture of the soil. 



But, unfortunately, we must, I fear, regard this description of 

 men, as a body, but little disposed, considering their means and 

 opportunities, for the cultivation of physical science, even to that 

 limited extent indeed which would lead them to take advantage 

 of the appliances so largely afforded by our Universities for the 

 acquisition of this as well as of every other kind of knowledge. 



It is rare, if I may judge by my own observation, to discover, 

 even in those amongst their number who have completed their 

 academical career with the highest distinction, that mere smattering 

 of the physical sciences which would be sufficient for enabling 

 them to appreciate the agricultural importance of such know- 

 ledge. And until this defect be remedied, either by the spon- 

 taneous efforts of the University itself, or through the loud ex- 

 pression of public opinion from without, it were vain perhaps to 

 expect, that agriculture can receive the development of which 

 it is susceptible, or that those means will be resorted to by which 

 its true principles might be properly investigated. 



I therefore cordially concur in the sentiments which have been 

 already expressed in other quarters on this subject, and in con- 

 ceiving, that the want of a special education for the agricultural 

 classes of all ranks and conditions constitutes one of the principal 

 checks that exist at present to the due advancement of this country's 

 agriculture ; and that the best friends to the interests of this im- 

 portant branch of the community, are those who strive to dissemi- 

 nate as widely as possible amongst them a knowledge of the theory 

 as well as of the practice of the art ; whether it be, by rendering 

 our village-schools the vehicle of some instruction of this kind to 

 the labouring poor; by establishing seminaries and colleges of 

 a higher grade to impart the requisite knowledge amongst the 

 farmers ; or, lastly, by introducing such provisions in the system 

 pursued at our Universities, as may induce her future landlords 

 and legislators to avail themselves of those means of instruction in 

 the physical sciences, which the bounty of a long train of bene- 

 factors has placed within the reach of every Student during his 

 residence within the walls of our Colleges. 



