263 Wisconsin state agricultural society . 
measure the good secured by an agricultural college by the num¬ 
ber of students that may be found in attendance, for its most 
beneficial influence is exerted upon the great body of farmers 
who put into practice without knowing the scientific reasons 
therefor, the principles deduced by men who have devoted their 
lives to purely scientific investigation. 
The course of study to be pursued must be determined by the 
wants of the farmer, in so far as it differs from the course usually 
adopted in colleges. Men do not go to college to learn how to 
work on a farm or in a shop. That training of the muscles which 
gives skill can be acquired only in actual labor in that employ¬ 
ment in which the skill is to be exercised. The business of the 
college is to give discipline of brain, and culture of the intellect¬ 
ual powers, which, in the farmer’s profession as well as in every 
other calling must direct and control the physical powers—mind 
always rules ; muscle always obeys. 
What brain-culture will best fit the farmer or mechanic for his 
calling ? 
I. Every farmer and mechanic is a Man, and needs to know: 
1. What man is, - - Mental Philosophy. 
2. What men have done, - History. 
3. What men are doing, - Language and Literature. 
II. Every farmer and mechanic is a citizen, and needs to know: 
1. The duties of citizens : 
(a) towards each other. - Moral Philosophy. 
(b) towards Government. - Constitution, &c. 
2. How to express his views - Rhetoric. 
3. How to defend his views - Logic. 
III. The business of the farmer is to develop to maturity, twa 
classes of germs: 
1. Vegetable - - - Botany. 
2. Animal - - - Zoology. 
His means are: 
1. Soil - - - Chemistry & Geology. 
2. Atmospheric and Chemical Forces Physics & Astron’my. 
3. Vital Forces: 
(a) Vegetable - - Botany. 
(b) Animal - - Zoology. 
IV. The business of the mechanic is to change the form of 
substances so as to fit them to supply the wants of man. These 
substances are: 
