Xll INTRODUCTION. 



should be invited to fill a professional chair ; and if mpne 

 would tempt a Liebig, a Boussingault, a Johnston, or a 

 Playfair, to leave the investigations of, European soils and 

 products, and devote his mind and energies to the improve- 

 ment of American husbandry, it should be freely given. 



These institutions should be schools for the teachers 

 equally with the taught ; and their liberally-appointed labo- 

 ratories and collections should contain every available means 

 for the discovery of what is yet hidden, as well as for the 

 further development of what is already partially known. 

 Minor institutions should of course be established at diifer- 

 ent and remote points, to scatter the elements of agricultural 

 knowledge broadcast over the land, and bring them within 

 the reach of the poorest citizens and the humblest capacities. 



By such a liberal and enlightened course, we should not 

 only incalculably augment the productive agricultural ener- 

 gies of our own country, but we should also in part, repay 

 to the world at large, the obligations under which we now 

 rest for having appropriated numerous and important disco- 

 veries and improvements from abroad. If we have the ability 

 which none can doubt, we should make it a point of 

 honor to return in kind, the liberal advances we have thus 

 received. 



It is to the rising generation these suggestions are made; 

 the risen are not yet prepared for their acceptance. The 

 latter have been educated, and become habituated to different 

 and more partial influences. By their industry, intelligence, 

 and energy, displayed in numberless ways, and especially by 

 their protection of American labor, they have accomplished 

 much for their own and their country's welfare they are 

 resolved to leave this glory for their successors. 



NEW YORK, June, 1846. 



