8 MR. Oliver's address. 



tient trial, with a comprehensive and careful observing, during 

 the trial, of all collateral influences and disturbing elements. 

 I have before said, on another occasion, that I am -'inclined 

 to the opinion that the exact application of scientific re- 

 search, accurately tested and brought to bear upon practical 

 details, is at once wisdom and security. And ijn snch opinion 

 I am greatly strengthened, v/hen I see the wise man, in the 

 solitude of his closet, pointing out by results derived from the 

 disturbances of the heavenly bodies, that exact spot of the re- 

 moter heavens, in which the practical Astronomer shall, with 

 his telescope, find another vast globe to be added to the cir- 

 cling worlds that roll about our central sun." — Rtport of AdjL 

 Genl. for yecw' 1S47. 



The final result, then, of the theory of the student and the 

 experiment and test of the practical man, made careful record 

 of, booked and published to the world, constitutes a means, 

 than which I can conceive of none other, better calculated to 

 aid the progress of art, in every one of its nu'merous ramifica- 

 tions. Let such record be carefully made, day by day, and be 

 given to the public for the benefit of associates in kindred em- 

 ployments. Let it contain the results of experimental opera- 

 tions in their several vocations, when experiments without 

 known result, were attempted, as well as the results of known 

 practice in ordinary matters, no longer experimental, — noting 

 such variations as change of time or place, or any collateral 

 disturbance, might cause. If this were done, and done contin- 

 uously and perse veringly, there would be furnished a mass of 

 information which could not fail to prove of incalculable use- 

 fulness. What a copious source would be here created of facts, 

 from which to reason and to theorize towards other facts, as 

 well as to lead to other and further practice ! 



To the young farmer, especially in the outset of his opera- 

 tions, such records, made by his older and more experienced 

 brethren of the Plough, would prove of double value and in- 

 terest, and any farmer who can spell and write, and what farm- 

 er of New England, blessed as they all are with the presence 

 of a school-house within a stone's toss of every farm-house, 

 cannot do these things, mysteries, indeed, to the transferable 



