14 Address. 



edge we have of the mysteries of the soil and its creative agencies, we 

 arrive at so certain results as we do, and oar great aim and endeavor should 

 be to understand more thoroughly the constituents of the land we cultivate, 

 the means of developing their greatest capabilities for production, the true 

 method of maintaining and restoring onr lands to fertility, at the least pos- 

 sible expense in labor and money, the multiplication of domestic animals 

 (which George Washington used to say was one of the greatest blessings 

 to be bestowed on mankind,) the improvement of our vegetable produc- 

 tions, as well as our breeds of animals, and the art of adapting our skill to 

 special crops or animals most suitable and profitable for the particular lo- 

 cality in which we are situated. 



Oh ! but say some, we don't want to go West and redeem the faults of 

 those, who, in their hasty progress have done so little for the true interests 

 of agriculture. That's just the point, my friend ; it is needless for you, or 

 me, or any of the well settled farmers of New England to leave their 

 homes. Enough will want to go from our own households to make it ne. 

 cessary rather to restrain the inclination than foster it, and our duty is to 

 see that those that set out have their lamps burning, their armor well on, 

 their weapons properly adjusted that they may officer the armies of the unc- 

 ultivated and do credit to on:' training and adaptation of their skill to their 

 special calling. The famous seventh regiment of New York city, as a 

 body, did nothing more illustrious in the late war, than go to Washington 

 and Baltimore, and by garrisoning these points when danger threatened, al- 

 low other regiments to go to the field, and defeat the enemy. But over 

 six hundred of the privates of that well organized body, took rank as 

 officers of other newly summoned regiments, and by their skill did more 

 good in drilling and bringing into preparation for active work these new 

 levies, than if they had remained in the old seventh, and in that shape near 

 the enemy. We had men enough for soldiers. What we wanted were 

 skillful officers, and our West Points and military schools and military or- 

 ganizations supplied them. Now we propose by an early education in 

 common schools, and behind the plough, continued when possible in acad- 

 emies and agricultural colleges, to educate, at least, leaders enough to make 

 the advance of agriculture a certain thing, and fill up all the gaps which 

 may be occasioned by heedlessness or disaster. 



But, say some others, we know all that can be learnt of the processes 

 of agriculture already. We' can raise good stock, cut and store our hay 

 and grain successfully, manure and hoe our crops, and generally maintain 



