profit, and frequently in pecuniary loss. But, directed by 

 knowledge, it yields golden harvests. 



Knowledge, literally, is the accumulation of truths proved 

 and tested by one's own experience or observation ; but for the 

 uses of life, and as the foundation of our action, it may be 

 considered the conviction of the truth of any information which 

 has been obtained by our own experience, or the communicated 

 experience and observations of others. It is obtained by steady 

 observation and practice, and to no class is this element of suc- 

 cess more necessary than to the farmer ; and owing to its want 

 is attributable, in a great measure, the unsuccessful condition 

 of agriculture in this State, as compared with other branches 

 of industry. I do not here mean the want of that education 

 which an excellent system of common schools affords, but I 

 mean the want of that knowledge which is acquired only by 

 deep thought, careful and scientific research, a knowledge 

 "which nearly all branches of business is compelled to have, in 

 order to keep pace with the progress of the day ; that mental 

 training and working of the mind which evolves theories, and 

 puts them to the test of practical operation. 



It is a mistaken idea that, for successful field labor, merely 

 physical training is required. Our farmers require a much 

 higher mental culture than has heretofore been thought neces- 

 sary. They know altogether too little of agriculture, as a 

 science, and agricultural economy. They are, in their business, 

 but little in advance of larger numbers of public men and legis- 

 lators, who, neglecting to read the present and to scan the future 

 in the light of past history, evince so little knowledge of the 

 science of government and political economy. Agriculture 

 has been too much left to the unaided efforts of* nature to com- 

 pete successfully with other branches of industry, upon which 

 scientific labors have been abundantly bestowed. Ploughing," 

 and planting, and gathering the crops, have been considered 

 labors requiring but little physical, and less mental education. 

 That the only knowledge requisite for the farmer could be, ob- 

 tained in youth by the annual attendance of a few weeks at 



