PROF. J. L. RUSSELL'S ADDRESS. 237 



ledge, and of the necessity of the study of the natural sci- 

 ences. I am persuaded that the time will come when this branch 

 of industry will be regarded in the same light as the learned pro- 

 fessions; and that it will hold its rank among them, for equal 

 respect and honor. But, before this can occur, it will be neces- 

 sary to develope its connection and harmony with the deeper 

 and more recondite studies of the laws of matter. I know that 

 there is a prejudice, founded on some very good sense, against 

 what, is commonly called book-farming; the good sense of the 

 objection lies in the fact that experience is better than any the- 

 ory. As a general thing, the farmer needs to be practical, if he 

 would succeed. He cannot afford to spend his time or waste his 

 money on doubtful experiments ; for his land and its products 

 must support him and maintain his family. Much, too, that is 

 done by those who would be practical men, is found to be too 

 expensive; in Yankee phrase, " 'twill not pay." It is not every 

 one, who can make a safe investment of his labor and expendi- 

 tures for some very distant period when the interest will be 

 realized. I presume, however, it will be granted, that nothing 

 which is done to the earth, or to the more solid improvement of 

 the farm, is really lost or wasted. It may not render a quick 

 return ; and this is what most who engage in your occupation 

 need. 



When we perceive what an undue proportion of our citizens 

 are engaged in other pursuits and business, in mechanical occu- 

 pations, in trade, in the professions of law, medicine, and divinity, 

 and not a few, some of whom could be spared with great advan- 

 tage, in the keeping, not teaching, of schools ; a remark, by the 

 way, not wholly inapplicable to the other three last-mentioned 

 callings; when we see how there is a constant press into such 

 occupations, it is not surprising that your vocation should be 

 overlooked. In all these departments, rivalry and increase of 

 competitors compel, as it were, the most constant and sedulous 

 efforts to excel ; and the mind is kept on the alert to discover 

 some new plan, or to effect some new mode, by which greater 

 success shall result, or by which some advance shall be made 

 on what has been known before. In none of these, is there rest 

 or pause ; but every day heralds a new fact in science or in lit- 



