No. 4.] INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION. 31 



Greek lacks the incidental practical value of Latin, German 

 and French. But one language other than the English 

 should be required, as a guarantee of the preliminary fitness 

 required by the collegiate standard. There should bo at least 

 three years of solid study, grinding drill, until the student 

 has learned something of the formation of language, and 

 much of its use. 



I know there are some who have the feeling that we can 

 somehow absorb language by talking a good deal, writing a 

 little and reading less, and doing all with no particular care 

 and application of the mind to the work. We shall not get 

 a final agreement as to all this in one year or in ten j^ears, 

 but we have our eves fixed on the future, "and wisdom is 

 justified of her children." 



There are matters of detail which must not be dwelt upon 

 here. What I have said, in this hasty and inadequate treat- 

 ment of the theme of '* Industrial Education," I have said 

 because there is so large an opportunity for the Board of 

 Agriculture to further the cause of education, and, most of 

 all, agricultural education. Indeed, to hold oflicial posi- 

 tion of any kind in the grand old Commonwealth of Mas- 

 sachusetts is to be under a certain educational compulsion. 

 As representatives of the farmers you are empowered to act 

 in both directions ; upon the resistance of those who would 

 oppose every movement towards a scientific agriculture and 

 a scientific teaching of agriculture ; and upon the impatience 

 of those for whom the car of progress moves too slowly. 

 Little by little the great problems of industrial education, 

 problems not fairly appreciated until yesterday, are being 

 worked out. And with the co-operation of the agricultu- 

 rists themselves, with such unanimity as is possible when 

 institutions and people together seek for the ccmimon good 

 of all, the ao-ricultural colleo-es will ffo on to definite aims, to 

 wise and comprehensive methods, and to such general develop- 

 ment as shall make the name agricultural college a true 

 designation, and also a title of honor. 



I thank you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, for your cour- 

 tesy. There are a thousand things I would be glad to have 

 said. I am not sure there is anything that I have said which 

 I would wish unsaid. The cause of truth is ours. Science 



