TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1837-1839. 157 



contented with their portion, and manifesting a determination to identify themselves 

 with the land of their fathers (not thirsting after supposed fairylands, cultivated 

 without labor), a living example of which is to be found in the wealthy sons of the 

 Keystone State, Pennsylvania. 



It would be ridiculous to suggest the improvement of agriculture in this country by 

 laws among a free, independent, and enlightened people, who are already aware of 

 the want of instruction and are seeking for it. The different State governments, 

 the agricultural societies, and the agricultural journals have all signally promoted 

 the interests of different branches of agriculture. It wants only the knowledge of the 

 means of putting the improved parts of this great and useful machine together, so 

 that every part may operate according to the law of science to produce the desired 

 effect. 



A beginning only is wanted, and the science of agriculture will spread over the 

 whole Union, like all useful improvements. Congress, always acting wisely for the 

 welfare of their country, will doubtless apply a portion of the Smithsonian legacy to 

 the promotion of agriculture by establishing an agricultural institution, which would 

 be an enduring monument in honor of the testator. 



Your memorialist, therefore, presents a plan of such an institution, with designs 

 for the buildings and estimates for all the requisites. 



Such an institution, being the first in the United States, would be the nursery of 

 scientific agriculturists for the whole Union ; their education should therefore be as 

 perfect as possible, to enable them to qualify themselves to serve as directors, profes- 

 sors, and superintendents for similar establishments. 



This institution is calculated for 100 pupils; and the number should be increased 

 by degrees, from the profits of the farm. 



The lectures should be free and the price of board moderate, as half of the num- 

 ber of the pupils should be practically employed every day on the farm. 



For the convenience of medical attendance in cases of sickness, together with the 

 facility for attendance at divine worship, this institution should be located within the 

 boundary of the city of Washington. 



AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTION. 



The object of such an institution should be to show how to gain .the highest clear 

 and permanent profit from agriculture, under any circumstances. 



That such results are not effected by the mere imitation of a certain tillage in every 

 climate, of different soils and localities, is obvious; it needs, therefore, rules and laws 

 founded on experience and science. To design such rules and laws, it requires scien- 

 tific and practical knowledge. Therefore the institution of an agricultural school 

 must be theoretical and practical. The theoretical instruction has to extend not 

 only to the principal and secondary departments, but also to all the auxiliary sciences 

 which influence agriculture, directly or indirectly, viz: 



PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT. 



I. Agronomy, the science which treats of the different primitive earths and other 

 substances of which the soil is composed, viz, silex, alumen, lime, magnesia, iron, 

 vegetable matter, etc. 



The naming of the soils, from the mixture of the primitive earths, and their value, 

 as resulting from this mixture. 



II. Agriculture, the science teaching the cultivation of the respective soils in such 

 manner as to produce the most perfect crops. This is divided into two parts: 



1. Chemical agriculture, treating of 



(a) Manures in general. 



(b) Vegetable manures. 



(c) Mineral manures. 



