(D.)-EXPENSES TRIAL IMPLEMENTS. Vouchers.-No. 111, 127, 144, 145, 146, 147, 438, 439, 410, 441, 442, 460, 483, 497, 498, 499, 531, 554, ... ... $733 08 (E.)-LIBRARY AND AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. Vouchers. No. 49, 67, 85, 87, 102, 109, 119, 121, 128, 130, 152, 153, 151, 535, 536, 538, 617, 620, 625, 645, 652, 653, (F.)-POSTAGE, &C. Vouchers.-Nos. 68, 86, 100, 113, 124, 138, 149, 158, 534, 594, 622, 643, (G.)-INCIDENTAL Expenses. $161 13 $219 10 Vouchers.-Nos. 66, 88, 89, 101, 114, 126, 129, 140, 150, 553, 593, 610, 624, 642, 651,... $318 49 (H.)-MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES. Vouchers.-Nos. 43, 50, 51, 61, 92, 98, 101, 112, 117, 454, 493, 600, 94,.. (J.)-SALARIES, TRAVELLING EXPENSES, &c. Vouchers.-Nos. 60, 61, 65, 75, 79, 95, 103, 106, 108, $675 48 Vouchers.-Nos. 2, 3, 6, 72, 123, 136,.......... [Ag. Tr. '53.] $234 35 $877 67 SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE. Prof. JOHN P. NORTON'S Introductory lecture before the Scientific Department af the Albany University, on Wednesday evening, January 14, 1852. The Professor commenced by saying, that in delivering the introductory lecture to the proposed course before the Scientific Department of the University, he was assuming an important position, a position which might with more propriety perhaps, have been awarded to some one more experienced than himself. But there was this assurance to comfort him, that the subject to be treated, was one of the highest interest and importance, commending itself to the attention and consideration of all who felt any anxiety in the advancement of the cause of science connected with agriculture. Before proceeding to the consideration of the subject to which this series of lectures is to be devoted, a few words upon the general nature and ends to be attained by this Institution, are proper and called for. And first, what is the object to be attained? Our system of common schools is one upheld, admired and eulogised by every civilized nation. We have advanced to a point never before known. Our motto is "universal education." But with all our boasted advantages, there is something yet lacking. The student may commence with the common school, and avail himself of academical instruction, finishing his course within college walls, and still an element is wanting. These helps are good as far as they go, but they do not go far enough for the practical student. They but open the door for farther research. The merchant, farmer, manufacturer, engineer or chemist when he obtains his diploma upon graduation, finds himself but just set out upon the journey, all his work is yet to do. It is not meant by this to disparage collegiate education, but only to say that it does not supply the wants of a thorough practical, or of a scientific man. The wonderful advancement of modern science has not been confined to the laboratory, but is made manifest in every department of life. Its results are seen and felt every where, we almost live and breathe by its aid; no one is of more advantage to a community than the close, investigating student. He will assuredly bring forth something of value to the world. True science is always useful, always noble, always elevating. It is therefore the interest of every people to encourage its advancement. We have thus far failed to do so to the highest extent. Our youth are compelled to cross the Atlantic, to seek the old world, to find the advantages they wish. There is no school among us, where they can go and find the facilities for prosecuting a more thorough and extensive education which are afforded by the schools on the continent. To furnish such an Institution, is one object in view in the establishment of this university. And there is another, which is none the less important. It proposes to supply the demand not only for a thorough and extensive education, but al-o or a practil one .There is now no place where a mechanic, a manufacturer or farmer can go to prepare himself for his business. There is no school where an education for particular departments in life, can be obtained. We may have fine professional scholars, excellent theorists, but we want practical men. We want them educated with special reference to their various callings. We as a people are living and breathing on a world we know but little about. We are as men in the dark, groping our way with many a stumble and fall, where we might be guided by the clear light of science; and to aid us in this respect, to give us that practical knowledge so much desired, and so absolutely necessary, is the second object in view in the establishment of this Institution. Is it not a noble one? One worthy the fullest encouragement? It is a project so vast and revolutionary that one might be considered as rash and bold in upholding it, but for two reasons, firstly, the people will sanction it; and secondly we are not alone in our support. The mention, as approvers, of such names as Peirce, Agassis, Mitchell, Bache, Hall, Dana and others, of them en at least equal if not superior to any in the country in their respective departments, is a sufficient guarantee of approbation, fr m men of science. Others are only waiting to see the way clear, to engage in the undertaking Such an Institution must and will be established somewhere. That is becoming more certain day by day. The State of New-York has the first offer. If she does not accept, some other will. During the present winter it is proposed to confine the scientific courses more particularly to science as connected with agriculture. By another season other departments will be added. Let us now proceed to the direct consideration of the subject to which we are to devote our time and attention in this course of lectures. It may not seem necessary to say anything concerning the importance of agriculture. But it is certainly the fact, that it is apt to be underrated in a comparison with other branches of industry. The products of our manufactories strike us as large, because we see the whole at a glance; and we are prone to overlook the humble products of the soil. But when we take these "humble pducts" in the aggregate; when those of towns, of counties, of States and of whole countries are presented to us; we begin to realize and appreciate their importance. In an article by Dr. Lee, it is shown that some two hundred and fifty millions of bushels of bread-stuffs are needed annually, for the bare support of our population, saying nothing of the other demands and uses. The truth is, that in agriculture lies the reliable wealth of every country. It is said that nine-tenths of the capital of the world is embarked in it; no matter how we may regard it, all really depend upon the humble farmer; if he withhold his labor, and cease to toil, or Heaven blasts his crops, all classes feel the shock. Upon him rest the hopes of the whole. |