ADDRESS ON AGRICULTURE. 



In this endeavor to lift your pursuit from being considered a mere mechanical 

 drudgery, calling only for the exercise of plodding industry in the use of the ani- 

 mal functions, up to the rank of a proud profession, demanding the highest ex- 

 ercise of the mind, and to be lightened and relieved by various and captivating 

 studies, let me again implore your cooperation, and that of every friend of the true 

 and great interests of the country — yes, let me implore it as for an aim and a 

 purpose in which we may contribute not merely to the benefit of your pursuit, 

 but to the strength, and safety, and true glory of the Republic ! It is only 

 by such improved systems of agricultural education, that science will re- 

 flect her steady light on the course of the plow, and the most successful farm- 

 ers shall come to be accounted as among the best informed and most virtuous 

 citizens, and safest depositories of the highest public trusts ; and that the laws 

 enacted by men who represent a more enlightened constituency may be expect- 

 ed to conform more perfectly and faithfully to the public v/elfare. Then, and 

 then only, will it come to pass that the opulent will regard Agriculture as the 

 safest investment for their wealth. Then will the talented and ambitious turn 

 to it as to the field in which excellence may hope for distinction — the literary man 

 seek it as a path strewed as well with flowers as with fruits — and, last of all, 

 if not above all, when thus your profession comes to be a guaranty for knowl- 

 edge — as knowledge is the only sure foundation of virtue— the agriculturist will 

 stand an equal chance with the lawyer, the doctor, and the soldier, to win that 

 reward so much to be coveted by every gallant man — the smiles and the suf- 

 frages of the softer and the fairer sex. 



Finally, I pray you to excuse me for detaining you so long, and allow me to 

 add but a single sentence. If I had but one moment to evince my sensibility to 

 the honor you have done me, and to make for it, in that moment, the best return 

 in my power, it would be to repeat emphatically, for American, Avhat has been 

 said for English Agriculture — and with less occasion — " The age is still far off" 

 when of Agriculture it can be said, 'Proceed; to exceed is impossible;'" and 

 he, indeed, must have profited but little by the experience of the last few years, 

 who does not admit that, notwithstanding the science by which the present sys- 

 tem of Agriculture is directed ; notwithstanding the practical skill which now 

 promotes the operations of the plowman and the plow ; notwithstanding the 

 knowledge of agricultural chemistry which now informs the farmer concerning 

 what sorts of manures are required for different productions, and are best adapt- 

 ed for different soils ; notwithstanding the introduction of artificial food, and 

 the consequent enormous increase of sheep and cattle grazed for market ; not- 

 withstanding all these vast strides toward perfection, that man must be little 

 advantaged by the knowledge he has acquired who does not perceive that Agri- 

 culture is still in its infancy in regard to the extent to which chemical science 

 and mechanical ingenuity may be profitably applied in increasing and varying 

 the productive powers of the soil. Now, gentlemen, farmers, freemen of Massa- 

 chusetts, of whatever sect or party, where, I ask you, will you find the patriots 

 to devote their minds and their hearts to the subject, until provision be made 

 that the rising generation, sons of the soil, shall be taught not merely to " read, 

 write and cipher," but how this application of science and mechanical ingenuity 

 can be made most effectual for " increasing and varying the productions of the 

 soil." That is, or deserves to be, the great question for American landholders. 

 May I not leave it to your good judgment, to your sense of duty, to your pat-riot- 

 ism, to answer it ? 



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