Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-09-19
AGRICULTURAL.
On ExPERIMENTAL AGRIcULTuRE.


What is called experimental farming
has been always matter of derision and
lfttfc6le with a certain portion Of the com.
munity, who have not sense enough TO
form a Just judgment on any important
subject; nor public spirit enough to con.
ceive Of any effort or enterprise the sole
object Of which is general utility; nor in
dustry enough to attempt any good them
selves nor honor enough TO do justice to
any mans intelligence, patriotism, or dis
interesedness Whenever therefore any in
dividual steps out Of the beaten track with
view to render public service or make
auseful discovery, II he INDUCES, in their
view, the idle and vain conception that
any hing more is to be learnt than what
is already known, or that he can penetrate
further inlothe mysteriousdepths Of knowl-
edge Han their short line has reached, he
is at once assailed with .opprobrum and
sneers il he succeeds they will immedi-
ately attempt to rob him Of the honor of
the discovery or in some way to tarnish
its luStre; and If he fails, as in most cas-
es from the very nature OF things a fail
ure is to be expected, they will then sing
songs Of triumph over himr; and inflated
with their own self-complacency they will
wrap themselves the more closely in their
own ignorance and pride.
II is painful and vexatious to encounter
these sharp points in human nature; but
the mind, which is conscious Of right pur-
poses, and bent upon the pursuit and diff
fusion of truth, should regard such mean
ness only with the indifference and con-
tempt, which Il deserves. Philosophy in
its literal Specification means the love Of
wisdom; the knowledge Of truth is the
only foundation Of wisdom; and the first
and great dictate Of ali philosophy to eve
ry man is, seek the truth in relation to
every thing make it your great aim and
study 10 find out what is true.
AL the practical and useful arts are
founded upon facts. Agriculture is pre-
Neminentlyso. All true science in Agri-
culture IS the process of induction; con-
sists in differences drawn from well ascer-
tuned and established facts. Theories in
this case, however elaborate and fine spun.
are Of little, or Of no value excepting as
the application or proof Of them may lead
TO the eIiciting and multiplying of facts,
which themselves will lead to important
practical rules. As the great orator Of
antiquity said in regard to the importance
Of actionyto the public speaker, so we
say Of the importance Of facts to the firm.
er. II he would excel in bis art, if he
would extend the knowledge OF his art, if
he would advance its power and produc-
tons, let him remember that facts, facts.
facts. must be the great object Of his in.
qu:ry. ."
TO gentleman then who has the means
and the opportunity Of pursuing course
Of experimental agriculture, and who at
the same time has the carefulness and in.
telligence and the disposition TO make
these experiments fiirly and fully, and pa
lience and acuteness and impartlali,y to
note the results and at the same time the
c)ungc and manlincss 10 publish them
whether successfnlor unsuccessful, whe,h.
~ they make for or against himself the
highest need OF praise is due; and he is
|ery where TO be recognised as the bene-
cior Of the community md as the true
'liend Of humanity. We have known
s'veral such men. They are among us
we are Justly proud Of them. A fear or
uonnding their delicate sense Of proprie-
M and that modesty which has induced
hes to keep themselves out az sight in
" attempts to serve the public well |