20 



about to assume his rightful place at the head oi' our indus- 

 trial pursuits. The Agricultural College and the Institute of 

 Industrial Science are l)oth established on a tirm foundation. 

 Through the instrumentality of these twiu institutions of our 

 Commonwealth, the farmer and mechanic Avill be raised to a 

 loftier position of dignity and influence, with an enlarged 

 power of blessing, not oidy themselves, but the world. 



The time is coming when the rudimentary principles of 

 agriculture and the mechanic arts will be branches of learn- 

 ing to be taught in our common schools. The time is not 

 far distant when the living language of nature, as interpreted 

 by Geology, Botany and Vegetable Physiology will be like 

 "household words" "with the farmer, who will then go forth 

 and see how the silent chemistry of nature, like a mighty 

 architect, l)uilds up the gorgeous fal)ric of the vegetable cre- 

 ation, alike stately, delicate and beautiful. So will the farm- 

 er's calling be ennobled and invested with the fascinations of 

 intellectual grace and beauty. 



And now, in conclusion, I congratulate you again upon the 

 success of 3^our labors for the past season. In the few words 

 I have spoken I am conscious of having said little that is not 

 already familiar to you all. But if I have succeeded in im- 

 pressing upon you something of my own conviction of the 

 dignity, importance and usefulness of New England Agricul- 

 ture and Mechanic Arts, I shall be more than content. Al- 

 though we New Englanders are not known as an agricultural 

 people, still to my mind there is nothing that adds more to 

 her culture, comfoi't and happiness than her Agricultural and 

 Horticultural interests. They are the essential elements in 

 her domestic economy*, without which the grand harmony of 

 New England's industries would be incomplete. Forever 

 may the mow^er's scythe and the harvester's flail ring in uni- 

 son with the weaver's shuttle and forgeman's anvil I 



Whatever adds to the glory and character of New England 

 it l)ehooves us to sacredly foster and transmit. We love 

 thee. New England, land of pence, prosperity and plenty ! 



