Show 154 STUDENT LIFE stition and day by day the natural laws of matter are unfolding1 in all their harmonious beauty to those who look One discovery is followed by another and as said by that marvelous man of science Alexander Von Humboldt “The discovery of each separate law of nature leads to the establishment of some other more general law or at least indicates to the intelligent observer its existence Nature as the word was interpreted by the Greeks and Romans is ‘that which is ever growing and unfolding itself in new forms ’ Each revelation serves to stimulate the wise man to further effort He feels — he knows that just beyond but another step there is something more to be revealed And nature is ever beckoning onward and upward The Agricultural College offers inestimable advantages to the youth of this and other states in the opportunity it affords for the study of the sciences and the practical application of the knowledge thus acquired in the various industrial pursuits of the people All of these are of the utmost importance but I may instance agriculture for the illustration It must be admitted that generally speaking farming is not conducted here or elsewhere upon scientific lines and with that knowledge of natural laws so necessary to produce the best results The other day Mr Wilson the Secretary of Agriculture as reported in the press said upon this subject that a large proportion of the farmers of the United States are handicapped by their ignorance of the science of farming and consequently fail to realize the full productive capacity of their lands That if the rising generation of farmers could be thoroughly educated in agriculture so as to be able to carry on the farm work on a scientific and busines basis the productive capacity would be doubled But the farmers are awakening to the importance of bringing science to their aid and are relying upon their sons and daughters to undertake the new work There is too much waste in the execution of industrial and business enterprises resulting in enormous losses in production and effort If the land of the fanner does not produce to its full capacity or if the ore of the miner is not made to yield all of its value it is because there is something lacking in the methods of cultivation or treatment Natural laws are not known or This is the day of given effect opportunity for all of you young men and women to fit yourselves for developing the great work of scientific education already begun What a noble and elevating undertaking confronts you inviting Can there be anyyour thing more alluring to the well regulated mind than the prospect of a realization of a hope thus inspired? To wrest from nature the secret principles of plant and animal life and growth as related to soils and climates ! To penetrate the arcana of the material world and learn for yourselves that all things are controlled by universal law ! To elevate your thought in an attempt to comprehend the great forces which have set matter in motion and organized millions of ther worlds than ours to forever follow their appointed courses through infinite space I To look beneath the earth’s crust and read the wondrous story of creation recorded through aeons of ages ! This and more is within the possibil-bilit- y of your hope and the effort and sacrifice required for such works will so broaden the mind and enlarge the understanding as to develop your greatest pow ers and in this will you find your compensation For we must consider this mis-dircct- ed co-operati- |