44 [Assembly 



experienced not only in Ireland, Scotland and England, but on the 

 Continent also. By bringing new lands into cultivation, and in- 

 ducing the intelligence of our masses to bear on the subject, improve- 

 ments can and will be made to such an extent as will not only en- 

 able us to support an increase of population at home for many cen- 

 turies, but afford an ample supply of surplus food for the suffering 

 wants of all foreign countries. 



Man is so constituted by nature, as in all situations to require, as 

 necessaries for subsistence, food, clothing, and shelter. 



The Deity, in his beneficence, has furnished over 100,000 vege- 

 table productions which may be used as food; but only a few are 

 cultivated in this State, such as the cereal plants, leguminous vege- 

 tables, and farinaceous roots: Cotton, rice, sugar and tobacco, are con- 

 fined to our southern neighbors. These, together with animal pro- 

 ductions, constitute the chief source of nutriment and clothing to 

 man. To increase these productions is a desideratum devoutly to be 

 wished; and as "knowledge is power," every means that can be de- 

 vised should be resorted to, to obtain so desirable a result. 



The modes heretofore adopted by the Institute, of holding annual 

 fairs and distributing premiums, together with the formation of farm- 

 ers' clubs, have tended to diffuse much general information, and been 

 productive of much satisfaction. The establishment of an agricul- 

 tural college near the city, and under the direction of competent 

 teachers, who profess and are enabled to give both theoretical and 

 practical information, would be of infinite service. They have been 

 established in many countries. It would furnish employment for a 

 numerous class of our young men, who know not what profession 

 to pursue. It would be the means of diffusing more character, more 

 emulation, more knowledge, among this useful class of citizens; and 

 we would have more Cincinnatus, Columellas, Virgils, Varros, Fabri- 

 cius, and Catos, who remarks, " From husbandmen spring our strong- 

 est men, and bravest soldiers: their's is the most certain, the most 

 honest, and the least invidious gain; and they are also the best affect- 

 ed members of the state." 



We have had and can boast of our Washington, Wayne, Greene, 

 Schuyler, Clintons, and a host of other worthies who have devoted 

 themselves to agricultural pursuits, down to our modern Cato, who 

 has earned for himself renown not only in the civil but agricultural 

 department of our country — need we name Silas Wright, Jr. The 



