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apocryphal mixture called '' superphosphate," and from the 

 labels or stencillings which purport to present a statement of 

 the nature of the compound, obtain any clear information of 

 its constitution or actual value? Every farmer certainly 

 ought to be able to do this for his own protection, and there is 

 no good reason why he cannot. 



These views are based on many years spent in scientific 

 investigation and technical work, and in conducting the aflairs 

 of an experimental farm. From intimate association with 

 practical husbandmen in many parts of the country, I am 

 convinced that they can easily acquire the leading facts and 

 principles in any department of science, if right methods of 

 instruction are adopted, and it is a wrong view which con- 

 fines instruction to youth, and ignores the busy working 

 middle-aged man who is hungering for light and knowledge. 



A farmers' school. 



I will endeavor to present a brief outline of a school of 

 instruction for farmers which has been carefully considered, 

 and regarded as practicable. To afford a clearer understand- 

 ing, it may be assumed that a school has been established at 

 Danvers, Andover, Salem, Haverhill, or some other cojivenient 

 point, for the benefit of the farmers of Essex. 



The building in which the school is held may be a hall with 

 convenient rooms attached, such as is found in several of the 

 cities and larger towns, or it may be a building specially con- 

 structed, inexpensive but comfortable, with lecture room, 

 general meeting room, and another which can be improvised 

 for a laboratory. Two terms are held each year, one in June 

 at the close of the planting season, the other in December 

 and each continues during two weeks. The instruction is 

 4 



