The ecliication of the industrial dasses is at present engaging ranch attention 

 on account of the establishment of the industrial colleges provided for by the 

 donation of Congress, now being considered by the several State legislatures. 

 The views of one so well known as Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, on the 

 education of the industrial classes, which will be found in the second article, 

 will be interesting to all. 



Tlie third article will receive the attention of all wool-growers, for the success 

 of Mr. Potter, as stated in his letter, and the inducements to the increase of 

 sheep husbandry in the prospective markets, will encoiirage every farmer. 



Tlie statistical matter is fuller than usual, as the close of the year enabled 

 the fall returns to be given of much of the commerce of 1864. 



In thus referrhig to these reports, it will not be out of place to acknowledge 

 my thanks for the many kind notices that have been made of them. Their 

 influence is constantly becoming more general, for the reports of the crops and 

 farm stock are seen to be reliable. The time has passed when the plan adopted 

 by this department for estimating their amounts might be regarded as an experi- 

 ment only. It has been tested, and however disturbing to agricultural produc- 

 tion have been the circumstances of war and the vicissitudes of the seasons, 

 yet the plan, thus tested, has been successful even much beyond the anticipa- 

 tions of the most sanguine. This success both the producer and purchaser see, 

 and from both have I received the commendations referred to. It would be but 

 an unkind return and an affected indifference on my part not to acknowledge 

 my gratification at this expression of approbation. This department had no 

 model by which it could be directed when established, but it was created upon 

 the mere belief that it would promote the greatest interest of the nation — that of 

 agriculture ; but the measures by which it could advance these interests were 

 never designated. Under such circumstances, to receive this general approval 

 cannot but be gratifying to me, and the terms in which this commendation has 

 been conveyed to me call for this notice of the kind wishes expressed. 



And not less universal has been the approbation given to the annual report 

 for 1863, recently distributed. It is regarded as even superior to the report for 

 1862, and not a single exception has been taken to any opinion or statement 

 given in it. The care demanded in the selection of contributors, and the 

 knowledge, both agricultural and critical, necessary to render such a volume 

 complete, cannot be understood save by those who from experience know how 

 much of both is essential to success. 



ISAAC NEWTON, 



Co7nmissioner. 



