11 



At Roberval, not ouly is the interior domestic industry prosperously- 

 carried on, not only jg t^e garden a model, but even the farm, 

 throughout its wholo extent, is an example of superior cultivation. 



For certain tendencies to be g'ven to the teachings in our schools^ 

 I can fortunately calculate on the assistance of men of judgment and 

 experience, men who ha e already given pro* of their skill in agri- 

 culture. Among those, I may mention my honourable friend, the 

 member for Comptou, and his colleagues in the Council of Agri- 

 culture. 



Liberal offers have been made to us for the formation of new agri- 

 cultural .■- 'hools. To these we have answered that we weh.'ome- 

 their institution with pleasure, and will grant them all possible- 

 assistance as soon as we should feel justilied in doing so by the 

 increase in the number of pupils. 



The Agkicut.tur.a-l Pupil. 



Can we supply a numerous body of students to our schools ? By 

 what means ? I reply at once , by the same means that have filled^ 

 nay, even overcrowded our classical colleges. 



God forbid that I should regret all that has been done in that direc- 

 tion. The friends of classical education, fortunate in the enjoyment 

 of its benefits, \\\\\ always honour the memory of those men of 

 enlarged views, the founders of our colleges, prosperous to-day and 

 always necessary. From their bosom have sprung the leaders of the 

 nation. 



In so praiseworthy an object, I intend to imitate their mode of ac- 

 tion, hoping to follow in their successful steps. This time, without 

 fear of oven'rowdiug, of excess, which, in every undertaking, is pre- 

 judicial. The field is vast, enormous ; in the new arena energy of 

 all kinds may find scope, and there will be no failures {declass^s). 

 There will be none of those lads who, having prepared themselves foi- 

 hononrable positions, see them fade away before them in spite of their 

 efforts and sacrifices. 



In this province, there are five thousand students attending our 

 classical colleges ; a vast number ^ndeed, out of all proportion, I may 

 say, to the population at large. We have overshot the mark. 



How has this result been arrived at V How comes it that the taste 

 for the higher education is so widely spread that almost every one of 



