27'6 [.ASSEMBLT 



by one of the methods which have been named, and it is the cul- 

 tivation ot science and art in the work-shop, and the culture of 

 the soil, as well as every other branch of Imman industry and 

 inquiry which has accomplished somucli witliin the last half cen- 

 tury. Philosophy now w^alks side by side with every man, who 

 works well, whetlier physically or intellectually ; and the march 

 of the human race is consequently so energetic, direct and confi- 

 dent, that the ultimate height it will attain can be confidently 

 anticipated from the glorious resul^ which have been realized in 

 our own day. 



As the basis of all other departments of industry — of our pros- 

 perity, wealth, power, and national grandeur, is agriculture, why 

 has it not commanded more attention ? Why has it not beea 

 more honored 1 No patriotic citizen can doubt that it is the most 

 important subject wliich can claim the consideration of the 

 government. Washington was fully impressed with the magni- 

 tude of that chief source of aggrandisement, and repeatedly 

 recommended it to the serious attention of Congress; but as yet 

 nothing has been done for its promotion. 



We rightfully and wisely have established military and naval 

 academies, fortifications, arsenals, armories, navy yards, artificial 

 harbors, sea-coast and lake beacon lights, and at last a " light- 

 house of the skies" — but no school, no experimental farm, nO' 

 garden of plants for the development of the resources of our 

 agricultural domain and for giving an impulse to that labor which 

 feeds and clothes ike u hole people, and furnishes over $100,000,000 

 of products for expoi-tation — a labor w'hich occupies at least seven- 

 tenths of the entire population. 



We must hope on and ever, that the day is not distant when 

 public opinion will induce a more enlightened policy on the part 

 of Congress, and then we shall be distinguished for our agricul- 

 ture, as w^e are for our navigation and our internal and foreign 

 commerce. 



Your translations of articles from French works upon the 

 *' Culture of melon from slips," the " Preservation of Fruits,'* 



