38 



I recollect getting acquainted with the Chevalier Bunsen. I though 

 should know from him all about the number of schools in Prussia, 

 gave me a list of four schools in that country. When I went there 

 found thirty. Probably he had not heard of them. Some of them w 

 small. In France there are seventy-five. In Ireland they have fifty. 1. 

 the Irish schools pleased me more than any others except the Frepch. 

 had an opportunity, in Ireland, of hearing examinations of the young m 

 They were called in from the farm and asked questions on the subject 

 practical agriculture, as to draining, and how to adapt crops to diffei 

 soils, and other matters of that sort. And, then, as to agricultural cht 

 istry, they were asked, What would you do in such and such circumst 

 ces? What does a soil with such and such properties need? and so on. 

 do not believe there is a class of students of any kind in our country, v 

 would be able to answer one tenth of the questions which those young n 

 answered, very readily. And going out, as they do, to take charge of ot 

 schools, they will accomplish much for the benefit of unfortunate Irelar 

 and being concerned with their own hands in raising these crops, for oti 

 farms applying in the field those principles which they learn in the schc 

 I do not know how it strikes others, but it did strike me that it was a gi 

 way to promote agriculture. The Societies are doing much, but it see 

 to me that these schools are to elevate the Societies. 



I think it is only a question of time about the establishment of some k 

 of school. I confess I feel a little State pride in the matter. I should 

 glad to have Massachusetts take the lead. In almost all the States tl 

 are talking about Agricultural Schools, but they do not, any of them, se 

 to have acted, as yet. Perhaps New York may have established one. 



The President. The bill has not yet passed the Legislature. 



Mr. Hitchcock. I confess I should be glad to have Massachusetts to 

 the lead and have the school started first. I found Massachusetts stood 

 the head in the matter of common schools. Every gentleman in Euro 

 when I spoke of schools, would immediately refer to common schools 

 to the superior reports of the Secretary of our Board of Education. T 

 was exceedingly gratifying. They have the start of us in,Agricultu 

 Schools on the other side of the Atlantic, but they have not in this counti 

 and I should be glad to see Massachusetts going ahead. 



The remarks of His Excellency are very proper. The people must 

 this thing. Such is the nature of our institutions, that if the people do i 

 wish a school, the Government cannot sustain one. If the people are : 

 ready to force the Government to help them, it will do no good. TJ 

 was the case in Europe. Individuals there, even from the year 1774, stn 

 gled and sacrificed their property and their lives in this cause. They w< 

 repelled by the Government again and again before they could get any 

 sistance. Then they would start a private school, and would find it 

 heavy affair, as any such school must necessarily be. It must be a weigl 



