332 ANNUAL EEPOKT 



highest and take first rank in the operations in which they them- 

 selves are engaged, and the world will honor them for having 

 attained a position which assures them the surest and most reli- 

 able source of profit. 



ISTow, though it must be admitted that agriculture is the one 

 essential industry which underlies all others and makes civiliza- 

 tion itself possible, though its successful prosecution demands 

 better judgment, more consummate skill, greater practical abil- 

 ity and more exact knowledge of the natural sciences on which 

 it is based than is required in any other avocation, yet, strange 

 to say, it is the only pursuit for which no special preparation is. 

 deemed necessary, or, at least, none made. 



The successful farmer is one who by patient study has solved 

 the problem of economical production; who has learned to so 

 systematize and plan his work as to make every blow count one 

 toward the final result. He must understand the character of 

 his soil and know what crops it is best adapted to produce, and 

 if it is not up to the highest standard he must be able to as- 

 certain what elements are lacking and the best and most econom- 

 ical method of supplying them. In short, scientific knowledge 

 must be invoked at every step to aid him in the general manage- 

 ment and improvement of his farm, and to assist him in elimi- 

 nating the elements of failure and mastering the principles upon 

 which, and upon which alone, successful farming can be car- 

 ried on. 



In view of what has been said it may be readily inferred that 

 the great object of the state school of agriculture is to furnish a 

 sound and substantial education in the basic sciences j ust men- 

 tioned. This will be just as valuable viewed in a disciplinary 

 light as can be obtained elsewhere. At the same time care will 

 be taken that the education so given shall at every stage point 

 toward the farm, and be of such a character as will enable the 

 students to accomplish greater results with less labor than would 

 have been possible without its aid. The end kept constantly in 

 view is to develop the thinking powers and strengthen judgment 

 rather than to fill the mind with a vast store of miscellaneous 

 facts which will never be put to any i)ractical use. As a basis 

 of thought certain important truths must be grasped. 



From these the student by the aid of his reasoning powers, will 

 make deductions, not only valuable in themselves, but which 

 will still further develop the mental faculties thus brought into 

 healthy exercise. Conclusions thus obtained will make decidedly 



