236 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



vantage in the rearing and management of domestic animals. 

 The ox, the cow, the horse, sheep and swine, are animals of 

 practical use, and some of them are parties with us in the labors 

 of the field. It is but a part of civilization and Christianity to 

 treat them with kindness and humanity. But more than this 

 can be done, as the experience of many members of this society 

 attests, and as its annual shows have abundantly proved. What 

 a wonderful triumph of human reason and power, that the ani- 

 mals, given and subjected to man by the great Author of agri- 

 culture, can be moulded and fashioned to his liking, as the clay 

 is fashioned by the potter. Form and figure, size and power 

 of bone and muscle, adaptedness to the peculiar service re- 

 quired, kindness and docility of disposition, and even agreeable 

 countenance and expression, by patient and skilful breeding, can 

 be successfully attained. What can be asked more ] Modern 

 discoveries are said to enable the farmer to decide, with unerring 

 certainty, which of his heifer calves should be raised for the 

 dairy, and which should be prepared for the shambles ; and this 

 by marks and indications readily perceived by the common ob- 

 server. Comparison of knowledge and experience has done 

 much in the improvement of our stock of animals, particularly 

 of neat cattle. In this improvement, as well as in that of other 

 stock, the generous competition, produced by the encouragement 

 of this and other agricultural societies, has greatly aided. 



The Study of the Natural Sciences important to the Farmer. 



[Extracts from an Address at the last Fair of the Plymouth County Agricul- 

 tural Society, by John Lewis Russell, Professor of Botany and Vegetable 

 Physiology to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, <0fc. djrc] 



All branches of human knowledge seem to have some com- 

 mon alliance ; but, in no occupation in which mankind have en- 

 gaged, does there seem to be such a necessary connection of 

 varied and multiplex subjects, as in Agriculture. Hence, I 

 may urge on your attention the further consideration of the 

 subject of education, of the general diffusion of useful know- 



