482 



MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



The agricultural mind of the United States, if we may so express ourselves, is 

 getting into a state of general agitation and anxiety on the subject of education, 

 as connected more expressly with the tillage of the earth. In some of the States 

 great progress has already been made in that direction, so that agricultural in- 

 quiry may be considered in a transition state, as it were, proceeding from the ob- 

 servation of certified results to the investigation of causes — from the collection 

 of facts to the act of generalizing them — and thus, by establishing principles on 

 the basis of practical observation, rendering more certain and infallible those re- 

 sults which have heretofore been the elTect rather of chance than of science, 

 thereby robbing the pursuit of the agriculturist of the only characteristic that 

 can give dignity to success in any employment. 



The next movement (and God grant it a speedy consummation !) will be a de- 

 mand, on the part of the landed interest of the country, for the establishment of 

 Normal Institutions at the public expense, adapted expressly to the preparation 

 of teachers, who shall take charge of all our country schools, well qualified to 

 give instruction in all the principles involved in practical Agriculture and in the 

 literature that naturally belongs to, and that may serve to enliven and adorn the 

 position and pursuits of the American farmer. 



More than from ten thousand party effusions, was the gratification felt at find- 

 ing the following passages in two leading Baltimore journals of recent date : 



Profits of Farming. — At an a<n-icultiival 



meeting in Massachusetts recently, some re- 

 marks were made by Mr. Calhoun, of 

 Springfield, on the profits of forming as com- 

 pared with other pursuits. The conclusion 

 arrived at wais that farmers, on the average, 

 Hucceed better than merchants; that if, by 

 way of experiment, one hundred men should 

 go into a city and trade, and one hundred go 

 to farming, at the end of twenty years the 

 one hundred farmers would be worth tlio 

 most money. Mr. Calhoun re{i?rred to some 

 tacts, statistical and other, to show the risks 

 of mercantile business, and added, with re- 

 gard to Agiiculture : 



" Here is a foundation that may be built on 

 with more certainty than any other. Yet young 

 men are rushing into cities to make their for- 

 tunes. It is all-importa-iit that the facts which 

 have here been stated, now and at former meet- 

 ings, should be deeply impressed on young 

 minds. Mr, Brooks says 15 per cent, may be 

 made on capital by any diligent and eysteinatic 

 farmer. Hon. John Lowell said 18 per cent. — 

 All this may be done by farming intelligently. 

 He had wondered that farmers generally could 

 get along so well as they actually do in their 

 careless mode of fanning. For himself lie had 

 regained his own health by farming. The fresh 

 He repeated his 



pleasure on hearing the numerous statements 

 of the profits that may be made in this business. 

 One more consideration should have much 

 weight. It had been truly stated by his vener- 

 able friend from Framinpham (Maj. Wheeler) 

 that this business naturally leads the mind to 

 contemplation, and to gratitude to the Ruler of 

 the Universe, to whom farmers feci obliged to 

 look for a blessing on their labors. No occupa- 

 tion 80 directly leads the mind to reflection oa 

 the works of creation. All that we eat, drink 

 and wear, comes from the ground. In every 

 view this occupation is important." 



If the profits of fanning in New-Englaud 

 can be made to rise to eighteen percent., the 

 advantages of our soil and climate ought to 

 enable the farmers of Mar}'l;md to realize a 

 still higher rate. The importance of bring- 

 ing Science to the aid of Agriciilliire is be- 

 coming more generally appreciated now than 

 formerly, and ice may hope that the results 

 already realized may have the effect of per' 

 fi'rting an alliance so pregnant with benefi- 

 cent conse({uences. It would be easy to make 

 the elements of agricultural chemistry a part 

 of the course of instruction in schools and 

 academies — so far, at least, as to teach koio 

 to analyze soils and leai-n their different na 

 iures. [Baltimore American. 



open air had restored him 



To the above we add, with much pleasure, the following sound doctrine on 

 the subject of Teachers — their pay and qualifications. By-the-by, what better 

 test could one desire of the character of a nation, and of the progress it is making 

 in useful knowledge and civilization, than the grade and qualification of the 

 persons employed to mould the mind and character of the rising generation? — 

 How infinitely more important for all truly glorious and Christian purposes, than 

 are the qualifications of those whose sole business is that of being in the best possi- 

 ble tnanner prepared for shedding human blood ! And, when comparatively as well 

 skilled for teaching, how well eiuilled are they to at least equal pay and respect f 

 (too;;) 



