IMPROVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE. 
135 
With these few introductory remarks, we will endeavor to 
point out to you some of the ways and means. And first, it 
must be by adopting a higher standard of education, both gen¬ 
eral and professional. In this age of human improvement, me¬ 
chanic’s institutions are formed for the purpose of attaining a 
better knowledge of nature’s laws. These give rise to literary 
and scientific societies, and these spur on others to form col¬ 
leges. Some of these colleges have classes for metaphysics, for 
obtaining a knowledge of phantoms, but none of them teach, 
practically, the principles and theory of Agriculture, although 
it relates to the very vital principles of life—animal and vege¬ 
table. Learning can be of no use farther than as it contributes 
to the comforts and happiness of the community. Classical 
literature may be an accomplishment and ornament to a state, 
but Agriculture and Commerce are the bulwarks of a country. 
Societies should be seed-beds of physical knowledge; while col¬ 
leges are often bars to such knowledge. Men are made to crawl 
on crutches to the shrine of custom, to acquire antiquated dog¬ 
mas, and become pompous lispers of trifles. What is the 
first es-sential to the happiness of mankind ?—Food. To 
obtain which, all knowledge should be made subservient, the 
best method of obtaining it from the earth enquired into. Such 
an inquiry systematically instituted would be an honor to 
the age we live in. Farmers are left to grope their way, me¬ 
chanically, as the best they can. We are but clod-hoppers, 
say some—mere menials of society. 
True, societies are formed ; rewards are given for superior 
animals, the best specimens of agricultural products and im¬ 
proved implements ; also, for plowing straight and deep,—all 
laudable in the design, but how few are there the wiser as to 
what is the food of the plants, or how the land can best be 
improved for permanent vegetation. 
Men of all classes in farming pursuits should know why they 
do this or that act ; and they will not only do it the more 
readily, but feel an interest in what has been done, and be in¬ 
duced to adopt and give hints for improvement; no man likes 
