1S52.] 



THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 



11.1 



^but none of them, in my opinion, with so much cogency as that 

 j, which ascribes it to the absence of an early and efficient agricul- 

 tural education. Unfortunately, till within the last few years, it 

 was the prevailing opinion that the man whose intellectual capaci 

 ties unfitted him for the pursuit of almost any other vocation, was 

 considered perfectly competent to become a tiller of the soil. This 

 erroneous view, however, is now gradually giving way before the 

 enlightening influence of more extended knowledge ; and Ave are 

 daily becoming more and more alive to the fact, that perhaps no 

 other profession in life requires for its successful prosecution the ap- 

 plication of more accurate observation and diversified talents. So 

 far as I have been able to form an opinion of the matter, I consider 

 that, instead of agriculture, as a profession, being one of the simplest 

 and most easily acquired, it is one of the most difficult ; and requires 

 for the proper performance of the various operations connected with 

 it, an amount of practical and scientific knowledge which few, who 

 have been destined to the pursuit of it, have been able to acquire. 

 The justness of this remark becomes perfectly obvious, when we 

 consider how intimately not only the leading principles of agricul- 

 ture, but also its most minute details, are connected with almost every 

 one of the natural sciences. If this be the case, how could we ex- 

 pect a different result than that which has occurred] 



In corroboration of this view of the subject, 1 would say that, in 

 tracing the history of agriculture from its earliest records up to the 

 present time, we find that in every instance its improvement has 

 been uniformly in proportion to the advancement and development 

 of the other arts and sciences, This, then, furnishes us with unmis- 

 takeable proof that these have lent their aid indirectly to the further- 

 ance of a more extensive knowledge of this great art. Are we not, 

 then, to conclude, that their more direct application would be still 

 more effectual in developing its resources, and in placing it in that 

 position which it should na»urally occupy amongst an enlightened 

 people] But can such a result be expected through the instrumental- 

 ity of educated minds, combined as in most cases they are with local 

 prejudices] If not, what more judicious course can be pursued than 

 the affording of a suitable agricultural education to those destined for 

 so important a profession] Has not the application of scientific prin- 

 ciples to the other arts produced most beneficial consequences in re- 

 lation to the comforts and conveniences of civilized society] Need 

 I refer you, in confirmation of this, to the discoveries and inventions 

 of Arkwright, Watt, Franklin, and others] It is unnecessary to do 

 so, as all of you must be thus aware of the invaluable services which, 

 through the instrumentality referred to, they have rendered to the 

 human race. May we not, therefore, calculate with equal confidence 

 on a similar result, as regards the proper application of scientific 

 principles to agriculture] If "knowlejdg is power," the want of it 

 is weakness; and this axiom is as applicable to agriculture as to any 

 other employment. The doors of the temple of science are open to 

 all who desire to enter it, and there is no reason why the farmer, as 

 well as the mechanic or manufacturer, may not pass its portals. * 



All of you are cognizant of the fact, that in acquiring a knowledge 

 of almost every other art, a certain course of study, coupled in most 

 instance. 4 - with a long apprenticeship, is found indispensably necessary 

 its pioper attainment. Why should it be otherwise with the agri- 



Co rm 



to Massachusets, relative to Agricultural Schools. 



^xmm 



