toward improvement. If his idea or theory proves successful, he adopts it, and in time it becomes a habit or practice. Such, then, is the origin of all practices or habits; and every farmer who conceives an idea for the improvement of his farm, becomes, so far, a theorist.

It is absurd, therefore, for us to cling to a notion of being merely practical men, as it would doom us, if it were possible, to be left behind in the improvement of our farms and the acquisition of a competence. It is contrary to the spirit and to the mind of the American people; a spirit somewat peculiar-so much so as to need a new term in our language to express it. The man whose practice is derived from sound principle, who compares results, who refuses to be an imitator-such a man must ever combine theory and practice; he becomes, of necessity, expert and dexterous; he is intelligent, and is generally far, far more successful than the restrictive and merely practical man, who is sometimes, though now rarely appealed to. This distinction of terms ought to be better and more extensively understood among us farmers; for in truth, every intelligent cultivator is, and must be theoretical and practical, and is, or ought to be thankful to his Creator for giving him a power or capacity worthy of the position.

We need a College, to promote substantially the progress of Agriculture, as connected with the prosperity of the State. We need a College, because the principles of farming are intimately connected with science; our practical farming, our daily work, needs a large acquaintance with chemistry, anatomy, botany, physiology, mineralogy, climatology, zoology; neither can we be perfect masters of our work without some branches of mathematics. Many of these divisions of knowledge are well taught in some of our schools and academies. True, and they serve as an initiation to science; but we need an institution of a higher character-one devoted to the investigation of the sciences connected with Agriculture-able and ready at all times to give their results to every farmer and to every farmer's son. We need a College because

Agriculture demands appliances, extensive and various, for our uses-far, very far too large to form a branch or mere adjunct to another institution-and because our interests are sufficiently important to demand and occupy a college and farm consecrated to our objects and pursuits. Again: we need a College, because experience has for ages proved that art and science, as taught in all our colleges that association with students of other pursuits, ever have attracted and drawn away our agricultural youth into other paths. In the present state of society, this is an inevitable evil; the causes have been already glanced at, and may not be remedied in our day. Another consideration may be offered, in the need that our farmers may ever find themselves like other classes of our citizens, equal in intelligence and knowledge with those of all foreign nations. Yet see how far short of means we are, as compared with some parts of Europe:

.. Not one!

And the State of New-York,.......

The effect of these European institutions is excellent tillage, the appearance of fertility, and high cultivation.

We are warned, by the experience of foreign efforts, that agricultural schools have not been efficient without the aid of government; and we may reasonably suppose the abortive attempts in this country suffered from want of power. It seems conceded, also, that agricultural societies, though productive of great public good, cannot diffuse the details of knowledge needful for the farmer. It has been proved also that theories must be tested by practice; and such as are not well sustained by practice must be rejected. All primary schools and academies have proved insufficient in Europe for agricultural education, though they have been found good auxiliaries in preparing pupils for the main institutions. It has been well established, also, that two classes of stu

dents, having no concert of action as equals, and no sympathy for each other, cannot harmonize in the same establishment; one will obtain a precedence injurious to the other.

With necessity for a college pressing hard upon us-with the experience of Europe before us, to avoid their errors and adopt their wisdom-why do we hesitate? Why, from year to year, do we "drop our buckets into empty wells, and growing old in drawing nothing up?" The farmers of New-York have again and again knocked at the doors of these halls in vain. For what have they asked? Not for a monopoly, not for protection, not for any undue advantage. No, no; the farmer would not deign to ask, he does not need, any such unjust aid; but he does ask, and claims, an equal participation with all classes of citizens in educational means, that he may, with equal alacrity, with equal skill, perform his duty to the State.

An error of magnitude, as it seems to me, has pressed like an incubus on the movements for an agricultural college-the unnecessary magnitude and expense of the systems proposed; systems rather fitted to gratify vanity than to produce effective good. Stone palaces, sumptuous halls, and the elegancies of life have no natural or necessary connection with agricultural improvement; on the contrary, luxury, when attached to the farmer's establishment, is like a parasite, fawning but to destroy. Many who cheerfully contribute large amounts to the support of the State revenues, have viewed with regret proposals for profuse expenditures, being well persuaded that moderate appropriations, discreetly applied, will prepare the foundation of an institution with a suitable. superstructure, adequate to our wants, fulfilling every needful purpose, an ornament to our State, a means of wealth to the people. Such an institution might furnish knowledge of every principle upon which productive cultivation depends; might develop new principles, explain and illustrate them, not by theory only, but by every practical operation, always reducing theory to practice. Such an institution may not educate an ornamental man, as such

only; for the hand must be taught to labor, while the mind is taught to perceive, to remember, and to combine facts for useful

purposes.

Give to the agriculturist such an institution, and every acre of the State will yield an increase; waste places and unwholesome swamps will disappear; instead of emigrating to dull prairie lands, where wholesome wheat cannot be grown, our farmers will cling with affection to the homes of their fathers; population will increase; demand will increase; wealth will increase; and Agriculture will stand side by side, co-equal, with any and every other art or science-honored and esteemed by all.

Feebly as I have treated this important theme, may it be kindly received and considered by all who feel an interest in the welfare of their State and Nation! I invoke for this great object the careful action of every County Society; I ask for it the close and careful investigation and zealous support of every farmer who desires the improvement of his estate; of every man, of whatever vocation, who truly loves his country.

And now, gentlemen of the Society, my brief term has expireda term full of pleasant incidents and associations, never to be forgotten; and to your prompt aid, sound advice, and better experience do I attribute all that is worthy of commendation throughout the year. My last act is one of unmingled pleasure—an act which I doubt not will raise your Society still higher in the confidence of our brother farmers and of the whole people; I now introduce to you HENRY WAGER, your President elect.

In conclusion let me urge you to greater efforts to pursue a wise and temperate policy-a steady, onward action-in which all may plainly discover the high motive of preserving what is good, by reforming in time what is evil; thus you will from year to year bequeath to your successors an institution unimpaired, and which, by the blessing of God, will entitle you to the gratitude of men, of the State, and of the Nation.

At the close of the address, Mr. Delafield, introduced to the Society, Mr. Henry Wager, his successor, who returned his thanks to the Society for the honor conferred on him in selecting him, in a few brief remarks.

Dr. J. P. Beekman rose to make one suggestion. In the eloquent address just delivered, allusion had been made to a State Agricultural College. He thought it would be more democratic, and more in unision with the feelings of the farmers, to call that institution a school and not a college. He would move that the thanks of the Society be given to Mr. Delafield, for the able address, and that a copy be requested or publication in the Transactions.

Hon. H. Baldwin, of Onondaga, referred to the great and valuable services rendered to the Society by the President. He had listened with unfeigned pleasure to the address, and in particular to that portion which alluded to the Society itself. It was a plain, scientific, theoretical, and philosophical address. But he regretted one omission in the names of those illustrious men who had been connected with the Society at its early foundation. He alluded to the immortal name of Gov. Clinton. He hoped if the address was published, which he would most cordially vote for, that that name might be inserted. He knew it was an unintentional omission. He also alluded to the names of Gen. S. Van Rensselaer, John Townsend, Judge Cheever, as well as himself, who, in the early history of the Society, had taken an active part in its proceedings.* He also referred to the progress made by our sister State, Ohio, in Agriculture. In, this the Empire State is behind her. She is raising at present a fund, by private subscription, for the establishment of an Agricultural College, and she intends to apply to the Legislature for aid. He would ask, is Ohio to have one and not New-York? Are we to send our sons to Ohio to be educated instead of they to us? He humbly trusted that before this Society should adjourn, in view of the great importance of the subject, they should adopt some means of laying • Vide note, ante, p. 189.