o26 Transactioks or the American Institute. 



held at Utica for 1865, in one of the evening discnssions, the subject 

 was " What is the proper condition for cutting and the best method 

 for curing hay ?" A subject supposed to be simple and familar tO' 

 all; yet it elicited more than usual interest calling out the views 

 and opinions of some dozen of the leading experts present, and on 

 which scarcely any two agreed. Upon any question of agriculture 

 however simple, is not such difference of opinion found to bo the 

 rule ? 



In conclusion allow me to direct attention to the fact that the 

 United States, from 1839 to 1851, about eleven years, expended for 

 the benefit of agriculture, but $29,500 and that, in the collection and 

 publishing of agricultural statistics ; and since that time has estab- 

 lished the "Department of agriculture" with the agricultural garden 

 before alluded to, located at Washington, D. C, and has donated; 

 land for agricultural colleges to the States as before mentioned. 



The State of ISTew York, expends annually from eight to ten 

 thousand dollars in aid of State and county fairs; and be it remem-- 

 bered, that there is not one institution either in this or any other- 

 State of the union, devoted and applicable to the dewonstration of 

 practical experimental agriculture. Yet this is the department of 

 human labor that 3'early produces more actual wealth, both to the 

 State and nation, than all other industrial pursuits together. In 

 short the value of agricultural products, every two years, equals in 

 amount the whole national war debt and interest, and is reall}' the only 

 actual source of production of national wealth. 



Commerce is a mere transferring agent. Manufacturing the more 

 important one perhaps of transforming the raw material into articles 

 of utility ; and mining, that of bringing to liglit the already produced 

 material ; yet these interests receive continually the fostering and 

 protecting care of the government at the cost of millions on millions. 



Must this always be so ? 



A glance at what is done, and being done in Europe may not 1)0 

 without interest in this connection by way of contrast. 



Russia has in all sixty-eight agricultural schools and colleges, one 

 of these institutions occupies 3,000 acres of land, and has forty 

 buildings connected with it, accommodating several thousand students, 

 and adapted to practical illustration. Besides, there is an agricultural 

 society ut St. Petersburg, established by Empress Catharine, which 

 is a large and vigorous organization. 



Fn France there are about seventy farm schools, besides several 



