leading farmers, aud to obtain sncli State legislation as may, from time to time, 

 become necessary to a more speedy advancement. 



These reasons, without stating others, are sufficient to show how deep an 

 interest this Department must ever take in the proper establishment of these 

 industrial colleges. 



In considering such establishment, the first inquiry to be made is, What 

 course of instruction should he adopted by them ? 



There are no settled opinions, in answer to this question, to be found in the 

 United States. So far as they have been expressed in the course of study in 

 our few agricultural schools, and in the writings of those who have sought to 

 mould public opinion, the instruction proposed has contemplated a preparation 

 for the farm only. The langitages have generally been regarded as useless, and 

 the course of mathematical studies has been too limited. In this, we think, 

 lies the failure of our agricultural colleges. Such limitation may be adapted to 

 European affiiirs, where the son seeks to continue in the father's occupation. But 

 here the farmer's son is no more destined to agricultural pursuits than the son of 

 a professional man. Here the merchant longs to be released from the distracting 

 cares of commercial pursuits, and the opulent manufacturer from the dangers of 

 changing markets. Both anxiously desire the rest and enjoyment found in the 

 country life. And with them in this wish is the professional man and the 

 politician. And it is a natural desire; it is a part of man's nature, as it was in 

 conformity with it that God placed our first parents in the garden of Eden ; 

 or, that the homes of illustrious Americans have become a part of their fame, 

 as Mount Vernon, Monticello, Ashland, and Marshfield. And this desire would 

 be a hundred fold strengthened if early education fitted all for an intelli- 

 gent pursuit of agriculture, as well as other occupations of civilized life. A 

 system of education, to be successful, must be in conformity to the tastes and 

 pursuits of a people. The time is not yet come in the United States when the 

 son will inherit the father's occupation. Nor is it desirable that it ever should 

 be so. The eminent success of Americans in all the pursuits of life; the intel- 

 lectual and physical energy they have displayed in them ; the facility with 

 which this intellect takes hold of the most diverse pursuits — all point to a con- 

 dition so different, both mentally and socially, from the countries of Europe, 

 that its agricultural schools furnish but an imperfect basis upon which to rear 

 our own. We must mark out a path for ourselves. 



Congress, in the act referred to, seems to have been governed by this Ameri- 

 can condition of things. Its provisions are broad and liberal. It recites that 

 in the colleges to be established "the leading object shall be, without excluding 

 other scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such 

 branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in such 

 manner as the legislatures of the States may respectively prescribe, in order to 

 promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the sev- 

 ei-al pursuits and professions of life." 



It will be seen from this that these colleges are not to be agricultural only. 

 The education of the mechanic, manufacturer, merchant, and miner, is demanded, 



