Ji Discourse on Agriculture. xxxiii 



I conceive, that one efficacious mode of advancing our hus- 

 bandry, would be, for this, and other agricultural societies, 

 the increase of the numbers whereof, we have always ardent- 

 ly wished, and often promoted ; to forward memorials, pray- 

 ing* that the subject of agriculture may become engrafted in 

 the plan of education, as one of its most valuable branches ; 

 — or, in some way, to impress the necessity of national at- 

 tention, to the foundation of national independence and hap- 

 piness. Such representations would not only bring the sub- 

 ject into public view ; but would most indubitably promote 

 the public interests. Our state legislature, having now the 

 subject of education before them, might also be addressed, on 

 this highly interesting topic. 



The lights which chemistry affords to agriculture ; and the 

 aids which mechanics and other branches of the mathematics 

 and natural philosophy bestow on it, are well known to all 

 of us. Botany, (of which I am far from intending to speak 

 disrespectfully,) is chiefly a classification and nomenclature 

 of plants. If these were left to scientific amateurs ; and 

 some practical uses were made of this department of science, 

 agriculture would receive great benefits. To instance the 

 Gramina tribe ; which comprehends a great proportion of 

 the plants grown in tillage crops — grains and grasses. If 

 their uses, and varieties, and the best modes of culture, were 

 designated, it would be highly conducive to their profitable 

 propagation. The grasses, (commonly so called,) which 

 thrive and ripen together, might be distinguished, beneficial- 

 ly. I have always found that sowing permanent grass-seed 

 with clover — which is fugacious — affords the most profitable 

 pasture and hay. Orchard grass fdacUjlis glomerata, or 

 cocksfoot,) is the kind I prefer, as the companion of the clo- 

 ver. 



Nothing gives a more elastic spring to Agriculture, 

 than roads, canals, and other interior navigation. Your me- 

 moirs are not deficient in portraying the utility of these fa- 

 cilities to transportation. They open new channels of com- 



E 



