SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES 



Intellectual and Physical Culture as connected with Agri- 

 culture. 



[Extract from an Address by Rev. E. M. Stone, at the last Fair of the 

 Essex Agricultural Society. .] 



I pass to consider a want of our times. This is, attractive 

 agricultural reading for the young. Man is, to no small extent, 

 the creature of early impressions ; and the reading of childhood 

 often gives complexion to the character, and directs the aims, of 

 manhood. Many a lad, not remarkable for the preponderance 

 of a particular propensity, has been led to the choice of after 

 pursuits, by the books he has perused. The life of " Jack 

 Sheppard " has made many a villain ; of Howard, many a 

 philanthropist. One reads the life of Franklin, and aspires to 

 the honors of a philosopher, or to lead public sentiment through 

 the press. Another peruses the life of Washington, and makes 

 him the model of his public career. Art, Science, Law, Med- 

 icine, and Theology, are indebted to the reading of childhood 

 for many of their brightest ornaments. 



Now what I wish, is, to make this exercise auxiliary to 

 Agriculture ; through it, to awaken and deepen a love of the 

 beautiful in the works of creation ; and by it, to wed many an 

 ambitious spirit to the cultivation of the soil. I wish to see the 

 subject of Agriculture hold a place in our school books, as 



