T.6 INTRODUCTION. 



also of their physiology, and explains many of the most 

 interesting processes of vegetation. 



Chemistry is the key which unlocks the great laboratory of 

 nature, and shows us how she performs her complicated 

 processes, and produces all her wonderful phenomena. 



Meteorology investigates all the facts and phenomena per- 

 taining to weather, climate, seasons, temperature, storms, lati- 

 tude, altitude, winds, &c. 



Zoology treats of the habits, localities, depredations and 

 uses of all the objects of the animal kingdom. Comparative 

 anatomy and physiology constitute a branch of zoology which 

 treats of the form, structure, functions, differences and pecu- 

 liarities of all the organs of animal bodies. It is the -basis of 

 all knowledge relative to breeding, rearing, feeding, and 

 curing the diseases of animals. 



Natural Philosophy treats of the properties and dynamic 

 forces of light, air, water, and the mechanical powers, and 

 their application to machinery and other practical purposes of 

 life. Besides these, many other branches of knowledge are 

 indispensible to the education of the accomplished agricultu- 

 rist. The study of astronomy, geography, architecture, politi- 

 cal economy, algebra, geometry, a knowledge of the lan- 

 guages, general literature, and the fine arts to some extent, 

 and in fact we might say, a complete collegiate course, belongs 

 as much to the farmer as to the professional man. 



But the means by which this amount of preparatory educa- 

 tion is to be attained by farmers' sons, are not yet provided. 

 Various plans for agricultural schools have been proposed, 

 none of which have been successful in this country. Where 

 such schools have been established and endowed with compe- 

 tent instructors, library and apparatus, the number of pupils 

 have been a mere fraction of the young men who were 

 destined for agricultural pursuits. While a few are ambitious 

 of high attainments, the great mass are indifferent, or preju- 



