196 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



especially now that it is so fully, so perfectly, and so beautifully 

 illustrated by the first living artists, under the direction of Prof. 

 Agassiz, the first living naturalist. 



The illustrations consist of nearly three hundred objects on 

 wood, engraved in the highest style of the art, and in a manner 

 pronounced " truly wonderful" by the most distinguished ento- 

 mologists of this country, and nearly a hundred objects on steel, 

 colored from life, by hand. These illustrations add vastly to 

 the practical value of a work on this subject, by enabling the 

 student or the practical man to identify specimens with accu- 

 racy and ease, which from a description, however perfect, would 

 often be very difficult, and to a person not acquainted with the 

 subject, attended with doubt and uncertainty. 



It is a matter of congratulation, therefore, to the farmers and 

 horticulturists of the State, that the work appears so thoroughly 

 and beautifully illustrated. 



I need hardly suggest to the agricultural and horticultural 

 societies the importance of using great judgment and discrimi- 

 nation in making their awards of this liberal gift of the State. 

 If judiciously placed, it will be the means of great good in 

 leading to a higher knowledge of this interesting branch of 

 natural history, on which our success in raising fruits and the 

 other products of the farm so largely depends. Let it go, so 

 far as possible, where it will be read and studied, where it will 

 awaken interest and inquiry in the minds of the young, where 

 its influence will be seen and felt, and where the objects of the 

 legislature will be most surely attained. 



MANUAL OP AGRICULTURE. 



During the past year, also, the " Manual of Agriculture," 

 prepared under the direction, and published under the sanction 

 of the State Board of Agriculture, has been completed. It is a 

 work of over three hundred pages, designed for the use of the 

 more advanced classes in the public schools, and for the use of 

 farmers generally. 



It was not expected that this Manual would take the place of 

 the elementary studies in the schools. Children under twelve 

 years of age have enough to do in our ordinary system of 

 instruction, in learning the essential elements of an education 

 expressed in reading, spelling, writing, ciphering, etc. 



