ADVERTISEMENT. vii 



quires thereby a right to the gratitude of his fellows, and of 

 those who come after. To make many such is beyond the 

 power of most individuals, and cannot be effected. The first 

 care of all societies formed for the improvement of our science, 

 should be to prepare the forms of such experiments, and to dis- 

 tribute the execution of these among the members." \ 



The subject of agricultural education is beginning to attract 

 much attention, both in this country and in Europe. We seem 

 to be entering upon a new era in the history of agriculture. 

 Hitherto, science has given but comparatively little aid to the 

 most general and important occupation of the human race, but 

 .the time appears now to have arrived when it begins to be felt 

 that science may and ought to render as much service in the 

 cultivation of the earth, as in manufactures and the mechanic 

 arts. To effect this desirable result, schools have already been 

 established in Europe to the number of more than three hun- 

 dred, some of them of a high character. That these institu- 

 tions will accomplish much, there can be no reasonable doubt ; 

 that the science of agricultural chemistry, for example, will be 

 greatly advanced, and its practical merits be thoroughly tested, 

 we may confidently expect. Shall this branch of education 

 receive the same attention here as in other lands ? The active 

 and persevering effort of its friends seem to answer this ques- 

 tion in the affirmative. Many public meetings have been held 

 and much discussion has taken place, and if we mistake not, 

 popular opinion demands that something should be attempted ; 

 but what ? This is the practical, and the difficult question. 

 Every true friend of the cause will desire that such a plan 

 should be devised, as will prove satisfactory and successful. 

 Prudence and caution would seem to be the dictates of wisdom 

 in a measure, which, while it is felt to be desirable, is yet, with 

 us at least, an untried experiment. 



But something it is believed may be safely attempted, a be- 

 ginning may be made, a board of agriculture may be estab- 

 lished by the authority of the State ; corresponding in its gen- 

 eral features to the Board of Education. Such a board might at 

 once be empowered to employ an able secretary, whose whole 

 time shall be devoted to the work of obtaining and diffusing in- 

 formation on the subject of agricultural education, and whatever 



