No. 216.] 483 



vancement to perfection, combined with a systematic aim, familiar- 

 ized by repeated operations and observations, and joined with ability 

 to modify each particular case, as time and circumstances shall 

 dictate, is the true secret of success in all practical farming. 



Fortunate must the projectors of the plan be, if they can find a 

 spot so felicitously formed as to be susceptible of every variety of 

 animal and vegetable production, congenial with climate, soil and 

 the circumstances of each producer. 



Such an institution can be established in the neighborhood of any 

 city in this great State, wherever a space of ground can be procured, 

 though limited, and will if rightly directed have the necessary re- 

 sources to demonstrate whatever can be done by mechanical and 

 scientigc culture. 



For the experience of Europe has shown the practicability and 

 the great utility of such schools, and that they flourished amidst an 

 opulent and dense population. This need not excite surprise, when 

 we come to penetrate into the principles and foundations of agricul- 

 tural wealth; though the most ancient and honorable art, it has been 

 found to expand most when stimulated by the wants of manufactur- 

 ing and commercial industry. And these in all times and places are 

 the perennial streams of opulence and population. 



This is the arena for the young agriculturist to perform with 

 promptitude and agility his rural revolutions, and have in his mind a 

 kind of admeasurement of seasons, the nature and value of soils, and 

 all the elements of labor. This is assuming the manly gown, and 

 being shielded against all the conflicts that assail his earthly pas- 

 sage. And the rude mass must be very imbecile or dark, unless it 

 can act its part on the great theatre of public action, and be adorn- 

 ed with the greatest accomplishment, that can fall to the lot of one 

 who follows the oldest employment, the mastery of the practice and 

 science of rural economy. We rejoice to see a new era dawning on 

 scientific agriculture. Yale, an Institution held iu so just veneration 

 for its age and learning, and cemented and confirmed by a bright 

 catalogue of illustrious men, who have been the lights of the west- 

 ern continent, and pillars of the republic, in peace and war, has re- 

 cently with a commendable zeal, established an agricultural chair, 

 thus affording the advantage nf a scientific education for agriculture, 

 to a crowd of students that fill her honored halls. It is to be hoped, 

 that her sisters in this and other states will fall in her wake, and im- 



