The Science Of The Farmers

The breaking up'of the winter cannot now be long delayed, and nobody is so deeply "ïnterested in the weather of the next few weeks as the farmer, bècauae the success of many of bis crops, to no inconsiderable extent, dependa upon the way winter ends and spring begins. Erom time beyond memory the farmers have been weather wise folk, through the necessities of thcir business, and little disposed to consult other oracles than their own. Times have lately changed in tuis respect, however, and many of the farmers who are now turning over in their minds the best plans f or meeting the exigencies of this anoiualous season, and insuring success for the crops of 1882, will acknowledge their indebtedness to an education that is not altogether based upon farm traditions. Whilethis country is apparently yet behind Europe in the f acilities which it alïords for agricultural education, yet a vey gratifying progress has been made in this respect, and the study of farming as a sclence is spreading rapidly. Whut has already been accomplished is shown iu au exceedingly interestiug article by Miss Annie Tolman Smith in a recent number of education. She points out the results of the act of Congre3S of 1882 by which certain public lands were donated to states and territories on condition that colleges for the benefit of agriculture and tïie mechanic art be established by those states which accepted the donation, Forty-six schools or departments of colleges and universities have been endowed from this source. In forty-four of these, as well as in the Bussey Institution at Harvard, which was not so endowed, special provisión is made for the training of agriculturists. Many of the new schools at flrst seemed to be failures. They had to encounter many difflculties and prejudices. Af ter a few years, however, they learned to do their work better, and they show resulta of high practical value. Knowledge of meteorology, vegetable physiology, veterinary acience, and ohemistry as related to agriculture has been spread aong those in whose hands it can be most usef ui. Miss Smith also points out that intimate relations are springing up between the agricultural college and the various state associations for the promotion of agricultural interestf. There is yet a great deal to be done before these colleges can be regarded as entirdy accomplishing their object, but they at least made a good beginning, and there is no danger that the progress ct agricultural education will ever go backward in this country.