20 MR. NICHOLS' ADDRESS. 



try with his vocation ; how much he has learned from it, and how 

 much it is able to teach him. Aside from the pecuniary value of 

 its teachings to the farmer, how delightful is the study of that sci- 

 ence which explains to him the phenomena of the expanding leaf, 

 the increase of vegetable fibre, the growth of grains and fruits, and 

 which also explains to him the nature of those oxydizing forces 

 which are now on this autumnal day so busily at work, to scorch 

 and crumble them to powder. There is time in the occupations of 

 almost all for study and improvement, if they will but avail 

 themselves of it. The avocation of the husbandman is very far 

 from aflFording an exception to this statement. It is with him as it 

 is with every other person in the community, he must improve his 

 leisure hours, he must be diligent and studious ; the car of knowl- 

 edge and progress is rapidly passing, and if he does not leap upon 

 its platform, he is left behind. 



It does not wait for the indolent, or the prejudiced. It is like the 

 great source of solar light ; it moves up from its eastern bed in the 

 early dawn, and does not tarry by the way, though a universe of 

 sluggards should slumber on until high noon. 



