AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 99 



it is Lis first duty to ascertain the qualifications of his pupils. 

 I am, however, led to the opinion that the schools of the coun- 

 try have already laid a very good basis for practical instruction 

 in agriculture ; and if this be not so, then an additional argu- 

 ment will be offered for the most rapid advance possible in our 

 systems of education. In any event, it is true that the public 

 schools furnish a large part of the intellectual culture given in 

 the inferior and intermediate agricultural schools of Europe. 



The great defect in the plan 1 have presented is this : That 

 no means are provided for the thorough education needed by 

 those persons who are to be appointed agents, and no provision 

 is made for testing the qualities of soils and the elements of 

 grains, grasses and fruits. My answer to this suggestion is, 

 that it is in part, at least, well-founded ; but that the scientific 

 schools furnish a course of study in the natural sciences which 

 must be satisfactory to the best educated farmer or professor of 

 agricultural learning, and that analyses may be made in the 

 laboratories of existing institutions. 



It is my fortune to be able to read a letter from Prof. Hors- 

 ford, which furnishes a satisfactory view of the ability of the 

 Scientific School at Cambridge. 



Cambridge, Sept, 19, 1857. 



My Dear Sir : — The occupation incident to' the opening of the 

 term has prevented an earlier answer to your letter of inquiry in 

 regard to the Scientific School, 



The Scientific School furiiishes, I believe, the necessary scientific 

 knowledge for students of agriculture, (such as you mention,) " who 

 have been well educated at our high schools, academies or colleges, 

 and have also been trained practically in the business of farming." 

 It provides : — 



1st. Practical instruction in the modes of experimental investiga- 

 tion. This is, I know, an unrecognized department, but it is perhaps 

 the better suited name to the course of instruction of our chemical 

 department. It qualifies the student for the most direct methods of 

 solving the practical problems which are constantly arising in practi- 

 cal agriculture. It includes the analysis of soils, the manufacture and 

 testing of manures, the philosophy of improved methods of culture, 

 of rotation of crops, of dairy production, of preserving fruits, meats, 

 (Sic. It applies more or less directly to the whole subject of mechani- 

 cal expedients. 



