240 THE CULTIVATOR, 
of Natural Science, involving more or less an acquaint¬ 
ance with all physical laws, and all terrestrial phenome- 
na —and being moreover the great substratum and sup¬ 
port of every other human pursuit,— why should Agri- 
culture, alone , of all earthly employments, be regarded 
as calling for no scientific attainments—no intelligent 
observation of the varied natural objects, the interest¬ 
ing facts, and curious processes, around us : in other 
words—no rational exercise of the intellectual faculties 
with which a beneficent Creator has endowed us? It 
was, indeed, wisely provided, that an art to which the 
whole human family is indebted for sustenance, should 
be so simple in its essential features, that even stupidi¬ 
ty can make a living, and mere muscular energy be 
profitably employed, in its prosecution ; But, in the 
nature of things, it cannot be, that a business involving 
so much of Natural History—and controlled by so ma¬ 
ny of the laws indelibly impressed upon matter,—it can 
never be predicated of such a pursuit, that a knowledge 
of its true principles is superfluous—nor that its best 
interest may not be promoted by a cultivated intellect. 
I shall therefore assume, as an established position, 
that a knowledge of the Profession, in all its relations, 
is requisite to ensure the perfection of Agriculture, and 
to elevate it to its proper rank : and moreover, that in 
a country where Laws rule, and Yeomanry have a po¬ 
tential voice in their enactment, it is indispensable to 
the perpetuity of their Institutions, that an Agricultur¬ 
al people should be an educated and an intelligent people. 
“ I would, therefore, exhort our young Farmers to 
acquire so much? Natural Science as will enable them 
certainly to know, and to discriminate between, the 
more important objects of their daily care and atten¬ 
tion,—and by means which they may also treat of those 
objects intelligently, and correctly, in their intercourse 
with others. They should be so far acquainted with 
Geology, and Minerals —and understand so much of 
Chemistry and its laws—as to have a general idea of 
the structure and stratification of the Earth’s crust, 
and a just conception of the reciprocal influences exert¬ 
ed by the constituent portions of the soil, and the at¬ 
mosphere. This information may now be readily ob¬ 
tained, from elementary works within the reach of ev¬ 
ery one who has the taste or the inclination to possess 
it : But, that all might have a fair and equal opportu¬ 
nity to profit by such knowledge, according to their se¬ 
veral capacities, it should be made an indispensable 
branch of the education of Youth, and faithfully impart¬ 
ed, by competent teachers, to every child in the Repub¬ 
lic. Until such instruction shall be provided, it may 
be confidently maintained, that no better substitute can 
be devised, than is afforded by the intercourse of intel¬ 
ligent, public spirited men, in well-conducted Associa¬ 
tions. 
Similar remarks may be applied to the expediency 
of a reasonable acquaintance with the Vegetable and 
the Animal kingdoms. What sort of an Agriculturist 
is he—in this age, and country—who is so ignorant of 
the interesting Plants, on his own farm, as”o be con¬ 
tinually overlooking the most pernicious weeds, when 
they invade his premises—or mistaking, for them* those 
of a comparatively harmless character;—-and who 
knows so little, even of those he annually cultivates as 
to be unable to designate them by a name that is cer¬ 
tainly comprehended. beyond the limits of his native par¬ 
ish ? Is the young American Farmer, who can rest 
contented with such imperfect intelligence in his imme¬ 
diate Profession,—is he calculated—in this progressive 
era—to advance the interests, or maintain the appro¬ 
priate rank, of that first, and noblest, and most indis¬ 
pensable of secular employments? Surely, it ou<rht 
not to be thus with Agriculture— when all the kindled 
Sciences are going ahead with rail-road velocity The 
several departments of knowledge are auxiliary to each 
Am 
other. They reciprocate lights, by which their obscur' 
est truths are illustrated. They should, therefore, al^ 
proceed with equal step. It is not necessary—neither 
would it be expedient—for the practical Farmer to 
spend his time in studying the unimportant species of 
the vegetable creation,—nor in tracing the distinctive 
features of all the various tribes—“from the cedar tree 
that is in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop that springetk 
out of the wall 7 ’; But, as his 'business is especially 
with the more interesting kinds—with the culture of 
useful plants, and the extirpation of pernicious weeds, 
I hold it to be his duty to acquire a knowledge of these / 
and such a knowledge, too, as shall be adequate, both 
to the proper management of them, and to the delinea¬ 
tion, when called for, of their true botanical character. 
This would be a limited task, and an easy attainment,— 
quite within the reach of every ordinary capacity.— 
Some three or four hundred species, comprise all the 
more important plants usually observable on our farms 
—whether in the forest, the fields, or the kitchen-gar¬ 
den ; and it must be an obtuse intellect, indeed, which 
cannot learn to know and distinguish that number of 
vegetable forms. The juvenile pupils of some of our 
Female Seminaries are, every year, demonstrating the 
facility with which the task may be performed. 
“ I shall not detain you with observations concerning 
the importance of Zoological information ; for that is 
a kind of knowledge so intimately connected with our 
prosperity and comfort, that we cannot well avoid the 
acquisition of a reasonable share,—at least, with refe¬ 
rence to the larger animals which are domesticated, or 
indispensable on the farm. Our daily habits and asso- 
c’ations force the attainment on us all. The rudest 
bumpkin that ever trampled on flowers—or worked 
among weeds, without being able to distinguish one 
from another,—is nevertheless compelled to become ac¬ 
quainted, in some degree, with both the valuable and 
the mischievous animals.—fowls, as well as quadru¬ 
peds : indeed, it is wmnderful to observe how well, and 
thoroughly, such untutored persons do often learn the 
distinguishing traits—the dispositions, and the charac¬ 
teristic peculiarities—of animated nature. Still, there 
is a scientific aspect, of which every department of Na¬ 
tural History is susceptible,—under which it assumes 
a methodical perspicuity—an illustrative arrangement 
—which is exceedingly gratifying, as well as instruct¬ 
ive,—and merits the attention of all inquiring minds. 
There is, moreover, a branch of Zoology,—embracing 
myriads of tiny creatures—and many of them of the 
most destructive character to the hopes of the Farmer, 
which is yet imperfectly understood, and demands the 
closest scrutiny of every one concerned in the products 
of the vegetable kingdom. I refer, of course, to the 
multitudinous Insect tribes;—some of which are occa¬ 
sionally so injurious as to spread dismay throughout 
whole nations,—and, at the same time, of habits so ob¬ 
scure as to require the most patient observation, and 
the utmost sagacity, to ascertain their true history.— 
Even these minute researches—too generally neglected 
or despised—are demanded by the best interests of Ag¬ 
riculture ;—and to be successful, they must be conducted 
on scientific principles. A little mental discipline, how¬ 
ever—backed by perseverance—will soon enable the 
curious observer of Nature to make valuable contribu¬ 
tions to the common stock of information. I would 
therefore have ever y American Farmer, who can ap¬ 
preciate the responsibilities of his position, to cultivate 
his intellect with the same care and assiduity that he 
does his acres. Let him habituate himself to note the 
facts—to observe the phenomena—and to investigate 
the theory of the processes—which are continually tak¬ 
ing place around him: and let no one delude himself in¬ 
to the belief—nor seek to excuse his deficiencies by the 
stale and hackneyed plea—that he has not time for such 
