AGRICULTURE AND VETERINARY SCIENCE. 323 



and consolatiou, as I assume the duties which you have as- 

 signed me. 



There are many things over which you must rejoice to-day. 

 Your ardent hibors have been attended with success ; and 

 there is a gratification in knowing that other States have fol- 

 lowed your example in this work of rural culture. Your 

 Board of Agriculture have now grown to manhood and renown 

 under the spur of the scintillations from the sturdy Flint 

 within your hands. And hence new issues, at this age, must 

 inevitably arise, the same as in our social, and much oftener 

 in our political life. 



In reviewing the history of education, with the rise and 

 progress of science, we find that all branches have not started 

 into existence on the same influence, nor from similar causes. 

 But the demand of an age has often been shaped by the simple 

 requirements in the rural world, or in the industrial arts. 

 Chemistry affords a marked illustration, in the diff'usion of 

 useful knowledge, w*hich has followed since this science 

 emerged from the thraldom of alchemy. It now holds a 

 prominent place in our educational system, and has become 

 the fostering handmaid of every branch of human industry 

 throughout the world. And the same is true, in a great 

 measure, with the other collateral branches of agriculture. 



Thus in our educational movements we are passing through 

 our age of transition. The old classic system of instruction, 

 which for centuries has held its sway, and has been regarded 

 as the essential element of discipline, is now gradually giving 

 way for the dawn of a new era in the march of science. 

 The establishment of our agricultural colleges, throughout 

 the land, was but the voice of this onward movement in 

 behalf of practical education. Our farmers have long desired 

 that their sons should be educated in all those branches which 

 pertain to the routine of their daily toil. These new institu- 

 tions were therefore specially wanted, to thus train the minds 

 of our youth for an agricultural calling; and hence these 

 colleges should receive the united sympathy and support of 

 every cultivator of the soil. Such practical schools must 

 inevitably open new avenues for scientific investigations in 

 this country, and thus afford ample facilities for mental 

 discipline. 



