484 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



gress the expediency of establishing a national university, doubt- 

 less embracing within its scope the promotion of agriculture. 



Since the day Washington thus spoke fifty-eight years have 

 rolled away, and no such care as he urged has been afforded. 

 If the requirement was judicious then, is it not pressing now ? 

 From unquestioned, governmental authority we have the fact 

 that the existing millions in the country, by improvident and 

 unskilful management of the soil, have reduced its natural fer- 

 tility one-third. This is a startling fact. What are the prom- 

 ises for the future ? If twenty- two" millions of people destroy 

 one-third of the fertilizing capacities of the lands, forty-four 

 millions at the end of another quarter of a century may con- 

 sume the residue. We are said to be a nation of farmers. 

 Are we a nation of farmers scourging the earth ? 



The rapid growth of our population, the present condition 

 and prospective state of the nation, call for a great national 

 agricultural reformation, aided by the countenance of the gen- 

 eral government. 



