10 



where near the standard which should always be aimed at in 

 statements of this kind. The fault springs undoubtedly from 

 loose habits of observation, from inacurate and merely con- 

 jectural estimates, and from the general neglect of exact 

 accounts. 



To form a system in agriculture as in anything else, — to 

 deduce and lay down rules, — we must first collect the facts. 

 But this alone is not enough. Unless the observations are of 

 the right kind, and made in the right way ; unless they are 

 exact, and accurate, — so conducted and so reported as to ad- 

 mit of proper arrangement and comparison, — they will avail 

 little, and may even lead to confused and mistaken notions. 

 It has been well suggested by one of our most distinguished 

 savans,* — that it is just at this point where science may come 

 in as the most efficient hand-maid of agriculture — and the 

 aid which she proffers is not so much in the way of analysis, 

 of reasoning, or of new discovery, as in showing practical 

 people just Jiow to experiment, and liow to observe. 



Much has been said of the value and desirableness of agri- 

 cultural colleges and schools. I am inclined to think that 

 their possible and probable utility has often been set too high : 

 that results are expected, which from the very nature of 

 things, cannot be realized. So far, however, as such schools 

 should inculcate and enforce the great lesson of careful ob- 

 servation, careful practice, careful estimates, and careful re- 

 cords, they would render invaluable service. This, at least, 

 is within their reach. Taught and trained in such a school, 

 to see things, to do things, to state things, with that keenness, 

 and rigor, and mathematical exactness, which true science 

 always demands, their pupils would go forth to their separate 

 tasks in life, with just that fitting which their work re- 

 quires. 



Both from what I read, and what I hear, I perceive abun- 

 dant evidence that much vagueness, and even contrariety of 



*Plof. WiLLLUI B. BOGERS. 



