tation of crops, and the vast mass of practical information which enables man to transform a wilderness into a paradise, is worthy the pursuit of the richest as well as the humblest of the land.. Again, the importance of procuring, at all times and at fair prices, prime stock, of the best breeds of cattle, ought not to be omitted, either as an inducement to the Legislature, or as of the first importance to the people. The question is, shall we endow a school, to which many would desire to send their children for the purpose of preparing them to depend in future life, on one of the most certain, and therefore the most happy of human pursuits; combining in itself, all the elements of constant, regular, and sagacious employment; and freed from the cares and corroding recollections, present or past, of the pursuits of a political life. It is evident that law, divinity, and physic, are overstocked. The pursuits of commerce are laborious, and do not very often yield a return to persons of a moderate fortune and liberal education: as now educated, they are not fitted for farmers; so tenaciously do those early habits adhere to them, that the attempt at agriculture, is generally a failure. Your committee propose to give them a school, to which resort may be had for the cultivation of the mind, and the improvement of the person: Laying the foundation for future toils and pleasures, (for toils in agriculture are pleasures, when conducted to a successful result,) for future health and happiness, and preparing them to rear up a race, fit to transmit to posterity, the liberties we so highly cherish. Your committee do not, in this report, enter into a detail of the expenditure necessary for this school. That is so fully treated of in the annexed report, to the Agricultural Society, that they could only repeat what is there stated. But they cannot close without remarking what must be obvious to all, how much skill and science may effect in agricultural pursuits. Is there one of our body who has not seen, and remarked, the difference in adjoining farms, where nature had made no difference in the soil. It is this practical skill, this science, combined with labor, that they desire, (most anxiously desire,) to bestow on a rising generation; and they deem it their duty, most earnestly, to press it on the consideration of the Legislature, as called for by every consideration due to the public welfare, to the true and lasting interests of the State: and as the last, but most substantial pillar in the varied edifice of her public institutions. Impressed with this belief, and that the school recommended will, in many ways prove highly beneficial to the community, and persuaded that the State will ultimately be fully indemnified for her advances, your committee have prepared a bill in conformity with the prayer of the petitioners, which they have directed their chairman to ask leave to present. REPORT Of the State Agricultural Society, Albany, February 14th, 1833. The committee appointed at the first meeting of the Society, to report a plan for an Agricultural School, with an estimate of the expense necessary to establish and put the same into operation; together with their views of such an establishment, beg leave to submit the following REPORT: The main objects of the proposed school are, to impart to agriculture the efficient aid of the sciences, and to furnish it with the best models of practice; to teach simultaneously, in the period of youth devoted to academic studies, the practical operations of husbandry, and such branches of useful knowledge as may tend to elevate its character and increase its products. The plan, therefore, should embrace, 1. A FARM, of sufficient extent to afford room for the diversified operations of tillage, cattle and sheep husbandry, and of orcharding and gardening-on a scale that will admit a fair comparison being made of crops, of breeds of cattle and sheep, and of the varieties of hardy fruits: and sufficiently diversified in soil and surface as to admit of satisfactory experiments: 2. A FARM HOUSE and FARM BUILDINGS, which may serve as models of convenience, taste and economy, and accommodate the head farmer and his assistants: 3. A SCHOOL BUILDING, for the accommodation of teachers and scholars: 4. A LIBRARY and PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS: 5. STOCK and IMPLEMENTS for the farm: and, 6. SHOPS for the construction of farm implements and machinery, for the use of the farm, for the illustration of mechanical sci ence, and to afford practical instructions to the pupils in mechanics. These items of expense, which may be considered preliminary and permanent, together with the cost of the furniture required for the school building, are estimated at $7,500. 1. The plan of education might embrace: Practical instructions in the various operations and labors of the farm, the garden, the orchards and the shops: and, 2. The study of the natural sciences generally, mathematics, mechanics, chemistry and drawing, so far as these may conduce or become subservient to agricultural improvement; together with such other branches of knowledge as will qualify the students for the higher duties of civil life-such as will fit them to become independent electors, discreet jurors, faithful magistrates, and wise legislators. As prerequisites to admission to the school, the pupils might be required to possess a good common school education, to be at least fourteen years of age, and of good moral character. Four years might constitute a course of studies; and the internal regulations and police of the school might be conformed, in a measure, to those of our military academy. A department of the farm should be set apart for experiments in husbandry, and the details and results of these experiments accurately registered. The garden and the orchard should contain all the good hardy fruits, and specimens of all hardy plants, that may be useful on the farm, in the arts, in commerce, or that are ornamental-in order that the relative value of different species and varieties may be determined, and their mode of culture and process of curing taught to the pupils, and the approved kinds furnished for public distribution. To put the school into operation, there will be required-a principal, professors and teachers-a steward and servants, for the school: A manager, laborers and assistants for the farm: Machinists and assistants for the shops: and, A practical and scientific manager for the garden and orchard. The number of officers and assistants which will be required, must depend upon contingences: and of course the committee do not pretend to state with precision, in their estimate, the amount of their salaries and pay. The proceeds of the school and the farm may be expected to increase for some years, and will materially depend on the terms of tuition. The committee have assumed, as reasonable data, that the number of pupils would average 200, and the average produce of the farm amount to $4,000 per annum, for the first four years. Upon the assumed data, then, the estimate would exhibit the following result. Salaries of officers and teachers of the school,.. Expense of boarding 200 pupils, at $1,50 per week,.. Servants for the establishment, Estimated annual expense, $12,000 6,000 25,000 7,500 3,150 1,250 1,150 1,500 $57,550 $5,100 1,000 600 300 14,400 2,000 23,400 $80,950 The Annual Receipts are computed as follows: Board and tuition of 200 pupils, at $150 per annum, |