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DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE AND ALL ITS KINDRED ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



At the agricultural meeting at the State House, on 

 Tuesday evening, Jan. loth, Mr, Calhoun in the 

 chair, the above subject was discussed, in connection 

 with legislative action. 



Rev. Mr. Barry, of Hanover, opened the discussion 

 in a rather lengthy and elaborate address, that would 

 have done credit to an orator at a farmers' annual 

 festival. He spoke of the great importance of agri- 

 culture, and the high estimation in which it had been 

 held in various parts and in different ages of the 

 world, and the attention which it had received from 

 the greatest statesmen, and the most distinguished 

 men in scientific and other pursuits. The establish- 

 ment of agricultural schools in other countries, and 

 the great call for information in our own, as evinced 

 by the large number of agricultural papers in circula- 

 tion, and various books, and other means of instruc- 

 tion, were urged as arguments in favor of agricultural 

 schools, to satisfy the increasing demand for useful 

 knowledge. The address was very able, and showed 

 deep research and close observation. 



Hon. Mr. Daggett remarked, that Massachusetts 

 took the lead in all the great enterj^rises of the day ; 

 that the time had come for the establisliment of an 

 agricultural school, and he was ready for action on 

 the subject. 



Mr. Brcck, of Brighton, was in favor of an agri- 

 cultural school. There would be scholars enough to 

 fill such a school ; it should be located in the interior, 

 in a retired situation, with a farm of two hundred 

 and fifty acres. He mentioned various studies that 

 should be pursued. The plan should be extensive ; 

 but a beginning might be made in ■•» small way, and 

 the outline filled up afterwards. Jlatmal labor should 

 be practised as a means of information, rather than 

 for support. 



Mr. Jenks, of Bnston, had long been in favor of 

 agricultural education. Young farmers need training 

 for their proifcssion. 



Mr. French, of Braintreo, said that our people are 

 ready to receive instruction. This is shown by the 

 great gachering here to night. He spoke of the im- 

 proved state of agriculture in Euroi>e, and the advan- 



tages from agricultural schools and model farms. 

 Massachusetts has been first in many useful enter- 

 prises, and she ought to take the lead in this subject. 

 Many wealthy men will give liberally to an agricul- 

 tural institution, when begun aright. 



Mr. Merriam, of Tewksbury, spoke of many great 

 things which Massachusetts had done, and the impor- 

 tance of her taking the lead in agricultural education. 



Mr. Gorham Brooks, of Medford, spoke of the 

 course which the state had pursued in encouraging 

 agriculture, by offering bounties on crows, foxes, and 

 on raising wheat, all of which had done no good. 

 Far better would it have been, to spend the money 

 for the establishment of agricviltural schools. But 

 in this, we should commence on a small scale ; and 

 when the people see that a little money is well ex- 

 pended, they will be liberal in supplying what is 

 wanted. His sensible remarks were listened to with 

 great attention. 



A very large number of gentlemen attended this 

 meeting — the hall was nearly full. 



January 22d, the same subject was discussed. 



Mr. Colo, of the N. E. Farmer, said that for years 

 there had been much talk in our meetings about 

 agricultural education, and now it was high time to 

 take some action on the subject. Some had doubts 

 as to the success of the plan ; but there was no more 

 difficulty in teaching the sciences that are connected 

 with ajjiiculture, than in teaching other sciences, and 

 branches of literature that fit men for other profes- 

 sions. And with a model farm, connected with an 

 agricultural institution, under a good practical fanner, 

 students could be instructed in the practice of agri- 

 culture also, and the application of the sciences to 

 this art. But, although he was decidedly in favor of 

 an agricultural school, he would have suitable books 

 prepared, and have the clcmentar)- principles of the 

 sciences appertaining to agriculture taught in our 

 common schools, that the great ma.ss of the people 

 might be instructed. As academies and colleges 

 would do but little for general instruction, or only 

 prepai-e a few to govern the whole, so agricultural 

 schools would effect but little for general instruction. 

 There was no more propriety in sending boys to agri- 



