43 



most healthy, and the most noble occupation of man." We want nothir 

 stronger than that. Let him 'know th'at the farmer's path can be the pal 

 to greatness. There are men, I might say, perhaps, within the sound 

 my voice, who have passed directly from behind the plough almost to tl 

 pinnacle of political honors. 



We come now to the common school. I am for introducing into th 

 the principles of agriculture. Let the young man gain learning in this d 

 partment from the work translated by Mr. F. D. Skinner. I was in hop< 

 that His Excellency was about to conclude his valuable suggestions by n 

 marks, which he might have made much better than myself, by showir 

 that the system he approved was not inconsistent with the policy propose 

 in the resolutions under consideration. When there has been a bad resu 

 to any experiment, it is because experience did not go out with scienc 

 Experience went out alone. The consequence was mortifying failuri 

 Too frequently does science alone go forth into the fields in the pride of ii 

 strength and challenge the man who holds the plough to combat. It is 

 most unequal combat. But let experience and science combine their forc< 

 and they are invincible. 



* 



REMARKS OF THE HON. ENSIGN H- KELLOGG, SECRETARY OF TH 

 BERKSHIRE SOCIETY, IN RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR. 



MR. PRESIDENT 



I fear that if you should set me to talking, I should carry the discussic 

 inadvertently to some of the bills which have been so long under conside 

 ation here. As our friend of the Middlesex Society said, I came in here \ 

 a listener, and not to take part in any discussion. I can only say that 

 take a very lively interest in all matters pertaining to agricultural educ; 

 tlon. And feeling such an interest, J have frequently thought of the meai 

 that might be applied by the government of the Commonwealth to promoi 

 .that education ; of new means that might be introduced for that purpose 

 but I have not matured anything myself upon the subject that would 1 

 worth giving to you. 



I have been accustomed to hope, however, that science, as applied 1 

 agriculture, might be pursued as a study in our colleges more fully tha 

 before ; and that it will be thought best to introduce a department in coi 

 nection with that. It has seemed to me that provision for the education < 

 this Commonwealth in agricultural science should be made very commc 

 and free, as free and as common as education in our common schools 

 It seems to me that the great body in our Commonwealth, in order to rea 

 a corresponding benefit to that which is now reaped in our common schools 

 should receive it early in life and at their own doors. Whether that can b 

 done, I cannot say. But certainly an effort can be made to advance th 

 cause in that way, as well as by promoting it through Agriculture 

 Societies. 



