FUTURE AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 67 



of the latter. The medium profit of an acre in tillage, in Eng- 

 land, is stated at from ^21 to $35 per annum. 



" We need not resort to Europe for evidence of the disparity 

 which exists between the old and the new systems of husbandry. 

 Every day's observation affords proofs in our own practice. 

 Why does the county of Dutchess outstrip her neighbors in 

 fertility and wealth ? Not because nature has been more 

 bountiful to her soil, but because her farmers are better in- 

 structed. Why, in passing through our country in every 

 direction, do we see one farm twice or thrice as productive 

 as another, with equal natural advantages ? This contrast 

 cannot wholly be owing to indiligence or to indolence in the 

 unsuccessful cultivator. It proceeds rather from a want of 

 method — of knowledge. Knowledge is science, and science 

 is only precepts and principles grounded on demonstration. 



" It has been said that agriculture is a trade, an art, or a 

 science ; that as a trade it requires only the exercise of bodily 

 powers ; that as an art it employs the understanding and the 

 judgment ; and that as a science it comprehends a knowledge 

 of natural history, of chemistry, &c., so far as these are sub- 

 servient to the improvement of husbandry. We have many 

 who follow the trade, less who practice the art, and but few 

 who understand much of the science." 



For the inculcation of all these an agriculural college requires 

 a pattern farm, an experimental farm, and a system of education 

 especially adapted to the business of agriculture. And I trust 

 they who would convert our schools of agriculture into belles 

 le tires colleges will bear this in mind, when they commence 

 that service to which they have devoted themselves and which 

 farmers demand of them. 



Now, my friends, not serfdom, not bondage in any form, not 

 tenantry, not the subjects of arbitrary power, can thus develop 

 the art of arts and elevate society and beautify the earth, but 

 the citizenship of an independent republic, in which the way 

 is open, through virtue and knowledge, for every man to reach 

 the highest distinction, and where prosperity shall attend upon 

 industry and cultivation. This form of citizenship we possess — 

 may we not now say as the special prerogative of our republic ? 

 That the form of intelligent labor of which I have spoken, with 

 the social elevation which goes with it, is to overspread this 

 8* 



