Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-10-16
a G RI 10 u Ia N U I8 y
FROM Tul LEXINGTON GAZETTE.

Notes Of course Of Lectures on Agricultural Chem
iStry delivered before an Association Of Practi
cal Farmers,
BY GEORGE ID. ARMSTRONG,
PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY IN WASHINGTON COLLEGE,
| LEXINGTON, VA.
| LECTURER
introductory remarks. General ha,cs Of CIemica
attraction or affinity.
| In commencing the course Of Lectures on
Agricultural Chemistry, which ] have enga-
ged TO deliver before you, it may be expect
ed OF ne M, shall occupy your time on
the present occasion with general introduc-
tory lecture. After maturely considering the
subject | have determined to do otherwise.
General Introductory remarks if pertinent to
the occasion, must consist of an exhibition.
either OF the importance of such knowledge
as is embraced in Agricultural Chemistry, to
the practical larmer,-or, the necessity which
exists, II we may believe the teachings of that
best, that safest of instructors, experience.
that the practical farmer, the one interested in
this matter. should encourage the chemist in
the prosecution of his Investigations i'm this
department of science, both by his patronage
and example, if a rapid advancement is to be
made or, the motives which should impel
us to strenuous efforts, and the nature of the
efforts TO be made, to place agriculture i'm its
proper position among the occupations of man,
to give 1t rank among the liberal professions,
using mat term III It's most appropriate sense.
The object to be attained in the presenta-
tIon OF either oil the two subjects first named
Will, believe be more certainly attained, by
proceedings al once to spread out before YOU
the whole subject of Agricultural Chemistry.
and then, leaving you TO form your own O.
plnlons of lis value and to determine upon
your course of action in view thereof, each
one for himself. The conviction which is
produced by our personal examination of
subject, is far more deeply rooted and far
more likely to bring forth its appropriate
fruit in action, than any which can be pro-
duced by general arguments, however good
those arguments may be in themselves. Re-
speeding the third, the last object mentioned
VIZ: that the awakening an interest in behalf
of the advancement of the agricultural Dro-
iession, fear that but little can be done by
general argument.-If the citizen and propri-
etor OF the soil in this our free country, where
10 greater extent than among any other peo-
pie under heaven, we are members of one
great family and each interested in the vel
fare of all if he who having chosen agricul-
ture as his profession, loves not and honours
not that profession; if satisfied with receiving
from the earth 'stsupply Tor the daily wants
common to him with the brute creation, he
feels no desire for the advancement of the ell
der-born OF human arts and confessedlv the
most important upon such an one, | fear
that every effort, however well devised, would
be thrown away 4: he will doubtless remain a
mere 'clod-hopper" to the end of his days.
That your desires and your purposes, gen
tlemen. are of very different character,
have the best evidence in the manner in which
| the proposition to delivera course of lectures
on Agricultural Chemistry before you, has
been received "a manner, at once gratifying
to my feelings, as one loving and honorins
his profession, and al the same time ailording
the best evidence of success.
But whilst have determined not to occu-
py your time with a general Introductory
Lecture, must claim few moments of that
time Tor remark or.two upon the course
which intend to pursue Ill the subsequent
lectures. In determining what subjects should
be introduced into the course and i'm what or
der they should receive attention, have pro-
ceeded upon the assumption, that most of
those who will constitute the class are igno-
rant OF our modern chemistry. When you
call TO mind the fact, that in no department
OF human knowledge has there been as rapid
progress made, within the few years last pass
ell, as IN chemistry, and more especially in
those departments Of it which are most init
mately connected with agriculture that as
an able chemist remarks, "organic chemistry
may be said to have started, if not into exist
ence, at least into new life, within the last
ten years." it will at once be seen that such
an assumption as that upon which proceed,
| implies no reflection upon those who wears
ago may have received liberal education,
and OF course none upon those who have
| never enjoyed such advantages.
| For this reason shall have to OCCUPY the
time oil several OF the first lectures, with such
matter as belongs rather to general than TO
agricultural chemistry. If in such circum-
stances as those in which we are placed, we
wish TO lay firm foundation for subsan-
tial acquaintance with agricultural chemistry,
we must devote some time in the outset to
the fundamental principles of general chemis-
! try. In accordance with this view, shall.
before entering upon the subjects which more
appropriately belong to the course, direct your
attention in the first place, TO what are term
ed the general laws OF chemical combination,
and then, TO the particular chemical hlsto-
ry OF those elements, together with their
more important compounds, which enter most
largely into the composition of vegetable and
animal substances; such as Oxygen, Nitro
gen, Carbon, Ammonia, the Phosphates Sc
and conclude this part of the course with q
review OF some of the more important Of the
laws which govern the operations of Light