11 



tages ? This contrast cannot wholly be owing to indiligence or to indolence, 

 in the unsuccessful cultivator. It proceeds rather from a want of method 

 — of knowledge. Knowledge is science — and science is only precepts and 

 principles grounded on demonstration. 



It has been said that agriculture is a trade, an art, or a science. That 

 as a trade it requires only the exercise of bodily powers. That as an art, 

 it employs the understanding and the judgment ; and that as a science, it 

 comprehends a knowledge of natural history, of chemistry, &c, so far as 

 these are subservient to the improvement of husbandry. We have many 

 who follow the trade, less who practice the art, and but few who under- 

 stand much of the science. 



For the inculcation of all these an agricultural college requires a patern 

 farm, an experimental farm, and a system of education especially adapted 

 to the business of agriculture. And I trust they who would convert our 

 schools of agriculture into belles letters colleges will bear this in mind, 

 when they commence that service to which they have devoted themselves, 

 and which farmers demand of them. 



Now, my friends, not serfdom, not bondage in any form, not tenantry, 

 not the subjects of arbitary power can thus develop the art of arts and el- 

 evate society and beautify the earth, but the citizenship of au independent 

 republic, in which the way is open through virtue and knowledge, for every 

 man to reach the highest distinction, and where prosperity shall attend up- 

 on industry and cultivation. This form of citizenship we possess, — may we 

 not now say as the special prerogative of our republic ? That the form of 

 intelligent labor of which I have spoken, with the social elevation which 

 goes with it, is to overspread this continent, wherever the Federal authori- 

 ty extends, I cannot doubt. Thus far a large portion of our territory has 

 been subjected to an exceedingly exhausting mode of tillage. Large tracts 

 of our most fertile lands have become almost useless under that cultivation 

 which is intended to draw the largest annual return from the soil, without 

 restoring its fertility. In spite of this, however, our agricultural produc - 

 tions have been very large ; and the increase has been very rapid. 



The summary of the agriculture of the United States in 1840, shows 

 that we produced at that time— 84,823,27 2 bushels of wheat; 123,071,341 

 bushels of oats; 377,531,875 bushels of corn; 35,802,114 pounds of wool; 

 and that the total value of the principal crops of that year was $336,000,- 

 000 — considered at that time an emormous sum. In 18G2, however, only 

 twenty-two years later — the yield of twenty-one loyal states alone, far ex- 

 ceeded this estimate. The wool clip had increased to ucarly 80,000,000 — 



