Polynesian., 1844-09-14
L E NESIA N.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or TIE HAUAJyAN
COVER INTENT.
HONOLULU, SATURDAY, SEPT. IA. 1914.


Agriculture, as a source of wealth TO q
country, is of primary Importance. In Eu-
rope and the United States, it has attained
the first rank among sciences, and the ablest
chemists, and naturalists, are devoting them
selves to the study of the soils of their re-
sPective% countries. TO this object they bring
the aid of all kindred pursuits, fully aware
that in developing any fact which shall in
crease, or improve, their vegetable products.
they are promoting the best interests of man
KIM. Inc results are surprising. Sterile
soils have been changed into fields teeming
with vegetable wealth; orchards grooming
beneath the weight of fruits, have succeeded
to sparse groups of trees, which yielded but
a stlnted product. Even rocks succumb to
human skill, and it is discovered that there
exists no land, however poor, or climate how
ever unpropitious, but that can be made sub
servient to the wants of man. This is one of
the noblcst triumphs of the human mind; one
which is without alloy, for wealth, happiness,
civilization, and good morals, are it's results.
Commerce, invigorated, spreads its wings.
with new vigor, to the breeze. The luxu-
RES OF former ages have become the neces-
sarles OF this, and the intellect of man finds
no worthier employment than the study of
Nature. Individual enterprise has effected
much, and a host of names have rapidly ac-
CURED celebrity, from the solid advantages
which they have bestowed upon their coun-
tries. Governments, also, alive to its imbor-
lance, have accomplished that which was
beyond the effort of individuals, and the sur
veys OF their several territories, in relation
to all departments of Natural Science, are
of their wisdom. Soils, and their
products, have been analysed, and the ma
lures of each accurately asccrtained: the
hemlca constituents of plants, themselves,
nave been determined, as well as the food
they require in their several stages of exist
ence; the preparation of manurcs; upturn-
ing OF the soil; rotation of crops; exhaust
ION to the earth; depletion by injury; train
ing; grating; antidotes to insect. or atmos-
Pherical enemies, and all the varied care
and skill required, successfully to produce
the tairest fruits, have become so systemat;-
zed that the farmer can calculate. when tbe
elements are at peace, with almost a mathe-
matlcal certainty upon the results. The old
system was the slow accumulation of cxperi-
ence, transmitted from father TO SON. from
the time the first spade uplifed the sod. II
looked rather to effects as resulting from ex-
Periments; often blind, incomplete, and adj
ventitious; than to general principles. Chill
dren chung to the beaten track of their faith
ers, too timid or too obstinate to deyiate
Consequently progress was extremely slow.
and 1000 years saw agriculture still in its in
fancy. How wonderful the change a few
have wrought. England has
produced a Davy, Germany a Liebig, France
a Guy Lussac, and the United States a
Jackson; men who, like Bacon, in Ethics.
by seeking first causes, were able to pnsh
boldly on to the effects. and to deduce laws