26 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATK. 



His next school should be an Agricultural College. He will there have 

 the double advantage of learning practical agriculture, as well as the 

 sciences bearing on it, and their application to its everyday operations ; 

 so that, having studied his profession in this manner for such a length of 

 time as may be found necessary to make himself thoroughly acquainted 

 with the branches taught, and their application to the business of the 

 farm, he will have completed his education, and have become fit to enter 

 on the charge and management of a farm on his own account. 



But besides being possessed of the education and training referred to, 

 farmers require to have acute observing faculties, as, if they have not 

 this very necessary qualification, they will not excel in conducting their 

 works profitably, nor in the rearing of their stock and crops generally. 

 Much of the success of our best farmers depends on their powers of close 

 observation in regard to the state of their crops as affected by certain 

 conditions of soil and weather, and in regard to the health of their 

 animals in certain states of the weather, on certain kinds of food, and 

 under certain kinds of treatment, &c. &c.; so that, independent of educa- 

 tion, the habit of close observation is absolutely necessary in order to 

 secure a high degree of success in farming. And, moreover, the farmer 

 must be of a persevering turn, not apt to take up with a scheme at first 

 sight, and upon trial to become tired of it and give it up. In all his 

 undertakings he should weigh them well before he enter into them at 

 all ; and after having done this, he should take them up for practical 

 operation, or not, as he may see fit and proper. These are qualifications 

 indispensable to success in farming, for without them, even with the 

 best of education, much valuable time and money may be lost ; but with 

 the education and training stated, and with good powers of observation and 

 perseverance, men are likely to take the highest standing as agriculturists. 



It may, perhaps, be supposed by some that the course of education 

 and training which has been described as necessary to enable the young 

 farmer to enter upon his profession with reasonable hopes of success, is 

 too elaborate to be required by one intended to become, what some 

 designate, " a mere farmer." The account given by Mr Stephens of 

 the special training he underwent in order to fit him for the duties of 

 the profession he had selected, and its results, will show that the course 

 which has been sketched in the preceding remarks is quite in accordance 

 with the views of that eminent authority on agricultural matters : 



It may be proper for me to state, in a few words, the opportunities I have had 

 of acquiring such an extent of knowledge in the various departments of practical 

 agriculture, and the other subjects enumerated above, as to warrant me in assuming 

 the part of monitor to the agricultural student. The following short narrative, I 

 trust, may be sufficient to satisfy the reasonable inquirer : 



