564 [Assembly 



ties of many. The Peach, one of the most delicious fruits, is said 

 to be poisonous in the place of its nativity — beyond the Red Sea. 



The Carrot and the Parsnip, wild in our meadows, are the same. 

 So, also, is the Rhubarb : — but when cultivated, is the common pie 

 plant of our gardens. The Cabbage — Savoy, Broccoli, and Cauli- 

 flower, are supposed to be derived from a plant found on the sea- 

 coast — perhaps the sea-kale. 



We require Agricultural instruction, adapted and congenial to our 

 soil and climate. Its rudiments should be introduced into our com- 

 mon schools — teaching at least, the classification of soils, and the 

 treatment and the manures congenial to each division. 



English books on Agriculture are our principal sources of instruc- 

 tion. New York is about 41 degrees, while England is situated at 

 50 to 60 degrees of North latitude. Their climate, a considerable 

 portion of the year, is one of rain and fogs. Their soil is clay — 

 adhesive, cold, wet, and sour. Their books direct ^'Draining^^ to 

 lead off from their soil, or arable lands, the surcharge of water; and 

 the free use of "Li??ie and Guuno,''^ to impart heat and a vivifying 

 power for vegetable production. 



Our climate is arid ; our soil is dry loam and sand. A place sui- 

 ted for draining is the exception, and not the rule, in this country. 

 During our summer drought , the fountains are dried up and veg- 

 etation burned. 



It is hard consolation, at such a crisis, and when his flocks are 

 lowing for drink, to ask the husbandman to read a book on "Drain- 

 ing," and directing the use of "Lime and Guano" (good in their 

 place,) which experiment has shown to be destructive to all vegeta- 

 tion on this dry soil. 



All these circumstances illustrate the necessity for Agricutural 

 Schools to extend the education of Botany and Agriculture, with 

 Chemistry, in these departments of Science. I would ask on this 

 occasion for public aid to establish such a School near this city. It 

 is but justice to advance our intelligent farmers in their department 

 as far as other departments have been advanced. Out of every one 

 hundred people, at least 83 get their living from Agriculture. They 

 pay most of the taxes and bear the public burdens; they are, then, 

 worthy to have a school of this kind to teach them their department , 



