8 [Assembly 



It is not to be expected that instruction will be very rapidly 

 diffused in regard to scientific cultivation, requiring as it does, 

 study, skill, discernment, and practical experience. It may be 

 hoped, however, that measures will be adopted under the foster- 

 ing care of the State, having for their object the gradual dissem- 

 ination of scientific instruction in reference to the cultivation of 

 the soil, which will eventually prove to be of vast importance to 

 the husbandman. 



A careful analysis of the cereals and all other important pro- 

 ducts grown on our own soil is needed. It is true, we have analy- 

 ses of similar products, grown on the soils of Europe, by men 

 eminently skillful. The soil and climate of Europe differs from 

 our own; and plants, it is believed, may in their growth take 

 up and incorporate ingredients which are not essential to their 

 perfect development. Whatever difference may exist in their 

 constituents would thus be shown, and perchance lead to the cor- 

 rection of essential errors in cultivation. 



Accessible means for every cultivator to obtain a correct ana- 

 lysis of his soil is of very great importance. To effect which 

 will require time, and it may never be accomplished except 

 through the agency of a well devised system of scientific agri- 

 cultural instruction. We hope the time may not be very distant 

 when every town and village, will possess its chemical labora- 

 tory, with well instructed and skillful agriculturists, competent 

 to conduct such analyses. 



When we survey the vast extent of our Union ; its diversity of 

 climate, its mineral stores, its capacity for production, its admi- 

 rable adaptation for internal commerce, through inland seas, na- 

 vigable streams, canals, the constantly increasing facilities of 

 railroads ; and consider the natural increase of population, aug- 

 mented almost daily by the immigration of thousands from for- 

 eign lands, seeking a participation in the privileges of American 

 citizenship, all to be sustained by the product of labor ; it would 

 seem short sighted to suppose that we are to remain dependent 

 on any other nation for a single article which enters into the list 

 of our daily or contingent wants ; for we can produce them all ; 



