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and have done much to advance the arts of agriculture 

 and horticulture. 



To these two branches of botanical study we 

 shall soon have to add that of nosology and ther- 

 apeutics. Veterinary Bcience has advanced from mere 

 empiricism to a strictly medical science. Agriculture 

 and horticulture are but, arts as yet, in which there is. 

 much groping in the dark. Europe now has Agricul- 

 tural colleges in which are many learned professors, 

 who can, do much to elevate these arts to science. 



The elevation of veterinary art to science has 

 been of great pecuniary value to many nations ; a 

 similar elevation of agricultural art to a similar scien- 

 tific standpoint would be of equal value. When we 

 look at the immense value of our crops and their vital 

 importance to the people, we cannot but recognize 

 the necessity of preserving them from disease and the 

 consequent pecuniary loss it involves. Indeed in Agri- 

 cultural or horticultural science we' in Mauritius are 

 far behind any country of Europe. 



There is no such thing as a " School of Arts and 

 Manufactures" or of Agriculture — and it is but no idle 

 hope that we indulge in saying that it is reserved for 

 the Royal Society of Arts and Science of this country 

 to early take an opportunity of describing the pro- 

 vision made for combined artistic and agricultural 

 education in this lovely Island and we expect that 

 this noble Society will do the necessary near the 

 Paternal Government that courses of lectures of Agri- 



