ADDRESS. y 



This alone teaches him what are his peculiar advantages, and 

 how best to improve them. 



I have spoken thus far of education in its more general ac- 

 ceptation ; as meaning the discipline of all the powers of man. 

 But between science and agriculture, there is a still more spe- 

 cifically intimate relation ; and on this point, as more particu- 

 larly appropriate to the present occasion, and falling in with 

 my past course of study, I hope I may be allowed to dwell 

 with more attention, than upon the other relations of agricul- 

 ture. 



There are three sciences in particular, from which it has 

 been supposed agriculture might derive important benefit, viz : 

 Botany, Geology, and Chemistry. 



Is is obvious now, that these branches open before the scien- 

 tific man a wide and most interesting field. And within a few 

 years past, most diligently has it been explored. Some of the 

 ablest chemists, geologists, and botanists of Europe and Amer- 

 ica, have been most actively and successfully employed in 

 these researches. 



As a consequence, the science of agriculture has advanced 

 most rapidly. Even a review of its progress is more than I 

 can attempt on this occasion. But I ask your patience while 

 I briefly notice the most important points that have been gained, 

 and the present aspect and prospects of agricultural science. 



Whoever examines the internal structure of plants, even 

 cursorily, will be struck with its analogy to that of animals. 

 He will find in both, organs for the reception of food, for its 

 digestion and assimilation, as well as a system of circulation 

 and reproduction. The plant, indeed, has its peculiarities of 

 organization, as for instance, that no nervous system has been 

 discovered in it ; and yet it seems possessed of irritability, if 

 not sensibility. Under the microscope, however, it is a won- 

 derful structure ; and notwithstanding all the difficulties of 

 the investigation, the patience of physiological botanists has 

 disclosed an organization in plants almost as wonderful as that 

 of animals. 



To the chemist it has long been manifest, that the true way 



