Dr. Darlingtoii' s Address. 105 



plaint. It is not so much the ivant of time, which afflicts them, as the 

 want of taste, and the neglect of opportunities. We all idle away count- 

 less hours of our existence, and especially in the morning of life, which 

 might be successfully devoted to the attainment of useful knowledge. 

 Taste is a faculty which can be cultivated ; and opportunities to be im- 

 proved, happen to all men. It is impossible for an intelligent observer to 

 ramble amid the works of creation without acquiring some knowledge of 

 their character ; and if he cultivate the habit, he will insensibly accumu- 

 late an amount of information, which, to the careless, seems to be the 

 result of long and laborious research. Some of the most successful stu- 

 dents of Nature I have ever known, prosecuted their inquiries under a 

 constant pressure of the every day cares and duties of life ; and yet were 

 remarkable for the exemplary performance of those duties. It will not 

 avail, therefore, in this age and nation, to plead a mere ivant of time, as 

 an excuse for neglecting those attainments, which are due alike to the 

 best interests, and to the high character, of our Profession. But, if the 

 practical farmer shall still insist that it is incompatible with his turn of 

 mind, and habitual employments, to indulge in this kind of research, there 

 is a simple and ready method by which he may obtain a sufficient knowl- 

 edge of all the Plants which present themselves to his notice, and seem 

 to require his attention. Let him collect a fair specimen of every such 

 plant — both in flower and in fruit : let the specimens be carefully pressed 

 and dried, so as to exhibit the characters ; and let each species be preserv- 

 ed in a distinct sheet of paper, accompanied with a label, designating the 

 place of growth, the dale of collection, and the common name, or names, by 

 which it may be known — together with any remarks that may tend to 

 illustrate its history, or properties. The specimens, thus prepared, will 

 then require nothing moi'e than the scientific names, lo determine their 

 identify when spoken of, and to render them intelligible to all the world. 

 These names can be readily obtained from Botanical friends, who always 

 take pleasure in affording such information : and thus, with a very trifling 

 labor, (I should rather call it an instructive amusement,) and in the com- 

 pass of a convenient volume, the Farmer may have constantly at hand, 

 the means of knowing by name, by sight, and by character, all the plants 

 of his vicinage, in which he has the slightest interest. When memory 

 fails, or doubts arise concerning the identity of any particular species, he 

 can turn to the standard specimens in his little Herbarium, as the scholar 

 does to his Dictionary, in the full confidence of obtaining a solution of his 

 difficulties. His knowledge will be of that authentic kind which results 

 from ocular demonstration : nnd by employing terms which convey defi- 

 nite ideas, he can communicate what he knows with clearness and 

 precision. 



Upon this simple and feasible plan, may be obtained a fund of accurate 

 information, which would serve as a basis, or starting point, for more ex- 

 tended and important attainments. The intercourse between Agricultu- 

 rists would become more interesting and profitable, because they would 

 better understand each other. In discussing the merits, or demerits, of 

 any given plant, they would know exactly what they were talking about ; 

 VOL. X. NO. III. 14 



