MR. proctor's adduess. 39 



and glory of New Fngland, better tKlvance the interests 

 of the Commonwealth, than by making such a work a 

 part of the requisite studies in all our schools ? He that 

 contributes to elevate the condition of the farmer, im- 

 proves the main pillar of the State. 



While penning these remai'ks, a notice came to hand 

 of a liberal appropriation by the State of New York, a 

 glorious State, always ready to go ahead in every good 

 work, for the establishment of a State Agricultural 

 School. Shall Massachusetts be out-done in a work so 

 essential to her best interests? We admire that liberal- 

 ity which has founded and cherished the many noble 

 Institutions of learning and benevolence with which she 

 is blessed, and blessing the afflicted and unfortunate. — 

 To her immortal glory will her charities to the drof, the 

 blind, and the insane, be ever held in remembrance. 

 But is there not a necessity for something more directly 

 to be done for that class which constitutes the major 

 part of her population? Without a common centre, 

 without a fountain from which teachers are to be drawn, 

 we shall look in vain for those qualified to teach. We 

 want practical instruction. We want that kind of in- 

 struction which is calculated to quality young men in 

 the best manner for the real business of life. We want 

 Institutions that shall combine theory with practice, so 

 regulated that when our sons graduate, they shall not 

 then be under the necessity o\' be graving to learn. Whence 

 have originated, and how have been educated, those 

 practically useful men, of which our Country has most 

 reason to be proud? Let the history of a Franklin, a 

 Rumford, or a Bowditch, all sons of Massachusetts, an- 

 swer the inquiry. 



I cannot otherwise so forcibly express my views of the 

 importance of establishing agricultural schools, as by 

 quoting the langua;^^e of that most eminent friend of the 

 farmer, and of man, in his last address, delivered at 

 New Haven in 1839 — the late Judge Buel of Albany. 

 *' I pretend not," says he, " to the spirit of prophecy, 

 yet I venture to predict, that many who now hear me, 

 will live to see professional schools of agriculture estab- 



