244 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



and salutary instruction, and serves to elevate the mind through 

 a consideration of the exquisite workmanship, in minute relations 

 of organized life, which emanates from the Hand Divine. 



It were invidious to science, as well as unjust to the cause of 

 truth, to speak more emphatically of one branch of knowledge 

 of nature, than of another, in relation to agriculture. But it 

 may be affirmed with confidence, that he whose attention is 

 mainly directed to the production of the fruits of the earth, should 

 be intimate with the natural history of plants. In a similar 

 manner, and in the same proportion as he becomes the raiser of 

 stock, should his knowledge extend to those physiological truths 

 which are connected with breeding, and with the successful 

 treatment of animals. The volume of nature is open indeed to 

 every one to study and peruse ; but how essential does it become, 

 that its pages be well conned by the cultivator of the soil. The 

 intimate union of utility, of strength, of yield, with the laws of 

 organic life, demands the possession of whatever is known re- 

 garding animals, and yet more and constant observation. In- 

 difference to such subjects on the one hand, or ignorance on the 

 other, will leave one far behind, and incapacitate him from ac- 

 quiring the most feasible means of increasing his substance, or 

 receiving the full amount of what is possible in his avocation. 

 The remarkable results in improvement here, indicate the value 

 of such societies and associations as this before me. 



But, beside the animal economist, the farmer needs to be the 

 botanist; needs to be acquainted with the physiology of plants, 

 with their history and science, their capacity for culture, and 

 the like. Thus, how many errors have been committed from 

 a want of a little knowledge of this kind ! Grasses, and even 

 worthless weeds, unsuitable in the first case, and injurious in 

 the other, have been recommended, on the high authority of 

 names, and proved to be decided failures. Travellers and itiner- 

 ants, tourists and marvel-finders, notice with wonder the lux- 

 uriant growth of some vegetable, and this for the first time in 

 their lives, perhaps, and inconsiderately transmit it for home 

 cultivation. Next, the newspapers cry it up as some great dis- 

 covery, and it becomes a speculation in the agricultural market. 



