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SD4 AGKICULTURAL Mr SEUlsr. 



For' the AgvkuUurul Aluseutn. 

 On Agriclltural Schools. 

 Of infinite importance are early impressions and[ 

 early habits. Education, in a Republic, ought to he 

 considered not only as highly condui"ive to tlie interest 

 and happiness of its citizen-;, hut, as the very ioundatiou 

 of its permanency. Great attention has been paid in 

 this country to what is called a common £nj;li.-;h edu- 

 cation — almost every one, male and ftniale, is taught to 

 read and write, and there are numerous Colleges and 

 Academies, where those who have leisure and inclina- 

 tion, and can afford the expence, may make still farther 

 advances in science, and that to any useful, and almost 

 to any desirable degree. But many young men, or 

 their parents for them, have mistaken their talent, a-id 

 given the bent of their genius a wrong direction. The 

 professions of Law and Physic have become overstock- 

 ed, and thus afforded the occasion, or the pretext, for 

 multitudes to waste their existence in lounging and dis- 

 sipat on, who might have made good practical farmers, 

 had they been brought up to honest industry in the cul- 

 tivation of the soil, and with a much less expensive 

 education. 



By many it is supposed, that Agriculture is the only 

 profession which requires little skill or previous know- 

 ledge, but that a man becomes a farmer, as soon as he 

 enters on the possession ol a farm. Hence, without 

 doubt, arises the misei'able state of our Agriculture in 

 general, and the many unsuccessful attempts by indivi- 

 duals who have failed from no other cause, than the want 

 of sutiicient knowledge and experience. Ai>ricultural 

 Schools are therefore proposed, as the most ready and 

 effectual method of introducing skill, and stimulating to 

 industry in this important occupation. 



To those who have ever reflected on this subject, 

 how deliglitful would it be, to behohl a numerous train 

 of idlers converted into so many useful citizens ; and 

 instead of contributing to the misery and final dissoluti- 

 on of saciety^; to see them raising themselves uiid thck 



