402 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



it be not true, that judiciously fed out, they do not swell the 

 contents of his milk-pail ; and whether they do not increase 

 the weight and volume of the occupants of his piggery. 

 Whether they cannot be substituted, in a measure at least, for 

 the grains and other forage, so that the latter may be applied 

 to new uses, or sent to the markets. And finally, whether the 

 various rural occupations do not form one entire system, the 

 parts of which have a mutual dependence, sustaining a relation- 

 ship each to all the others, not detected and understood at a 

 glance, into which it is prudent to enquire, and the obligations 

 resulting from which, if clearly understood, it may be wise to 

 observe. 



Agriculture to be advanced by Science and Agricultural 



Education. 



[Extracts from an Mdress delivered before the Agricultural Societies of JVorfolk 

 and Bristol Counties, at their Anniversary Fairs, in Dedham and in Taunton, 

 1849, by Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.] 



One of the first objects which claim our attention, is, the 

 application of science to agriculture. 



The practical skill already evinced by some of our farmers, 

 is worthy of all commendation ; yet the art can never be raised 

 to its proper standard of dignity, without the aid of scientific 

 men ; nor until the public mind shall be convinced that it is a 

 study of far higher order than it has hitherto been esteemed, 

 and at least equal in usefulness to any that has engaged the at- 

 tention of mankind. Prejudice and extreme caution have pre- 

 vailed against new theories and ^'book-fai-ming," and it is not 

 to be denied, that mistakes have been made by chemists and 

 other writers ; but one cause of this has been, a deduction of 

 general principles, without an investigation of facts, sufficient 

 in number and variety. 



There are certain natural laws which one fact may develop 

 and settle as well as a thousand ; but there are others, quite 

 numerous and important in Agriculture, which scientific analy- 

 sis, or long and careful observation, alone can enable us to dis- 



