1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 49 



m s&p^ ~^&§ 



m which can be effected much better by a little useful labor, than useless, A J 

 o and, perhaps, often injurious amusement] Is it useless to train themc^ 



7 to habits of industry 1 or are their circumstances in after-life likely to 

 be so independent, as that their being able to add to their comforts 

 by the skilful cultivation of a plot of ground in their leisure hours 

 should be of no importance 1 It is not improbable but the majority 

 of them, when their course of training is expired, and they come to 

 conduct schools themselves, may be able to procure a small portion 

 of land in connection with their schools or with their dwellings ; and 

 fro in the agricultural instruction they have previously received, they 

 will be enabled to act in the double capacity of literary and agricul- 

 tural teachers, if the latter should be required. They will at least, 

 as I before remarked, be able to turn their leisure hours to profitable 

 account, thereby improving their health and circumstances, as well 

 as their status in public estimation; and affording to the surrounding 

 peasantry a model of thrift and industry which cannot fail to be pro- 

 ductive of beneficial results. * # # # # 



In concluding my Report for the past year on the system of Agri- 

 cultural Instruction, I think I may, with greater confidence than ever, 

 indulge the hope tint it is destined amply to fulfil all the anticipations 

 of its founders. Though its progress has been, and still continues 

 comparatively slow, owing chiefly to the general depression which 

 yet unhappily exists, though it has not put forth many branches, it 

 has, at least, established its roots firmly in the soil. After another 

 year of trial, during which its operations have been anxiously and 

 minutely watched, 1 am convinced that it only requires to be more 

 extensively established to become an efficient agent in the elevation 

 of our island to that standard of prosperity which its many natural 

 advantages so eminently tit it for attaining. In attaching so much 

 importance to an agency of as yet so comparatively limited opera- 

 tions, I may be considered by our opponents (of whom, no doubt, 

 there are still many, though their number is happily diminishing be- 

 fore the light of experience), as an interested partisan, or a visionary 

 enthusiast. Nevertheless, I state but my own sincere conviction, ar- 

 rived at by careful inspection and anxious investigation, and fortified 

 by the testimony of men, whose opinions are entitled to the highest 

 consideration. On my various tours of inspection during the past 

 year, I have made it a special object to ascertain the views of men of 

 station and intelligence on this important subject. Circulars have 

 also been transmitted to the Patrons and Managers of the Agricul- 

 tural Schools longest in operation, and the replies received bear testi- 

 mony to the truth of what I have here asserted. It is true, that of 

 the present class of small farmers in Ireland, but comparatively few, 

 living in the neighborhood of the Agricultural Schools, have adopted 

 many of the improved practices they saw there ; but any person con- 

 versant with the social condition of the country, will find many 

 causes which sufficiently account for this apparent apathy to im- 

 provement, not the least prominent of which is the general absence 

 of information, and want of early training in correct and rational 

 principles — -'we must," as has been truly said, "educate the child, if 

 we would reform the man." To remove this barrier to our social 

 progress is the great object of the National Agricultural Schools. 

 ' When this has been effected, as under Providence it shall, if those cv 

 ^entrusted with the arduous, but honorable task of removing the ob- G\ 



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