Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-24
From the American Agficulturalist
EXPERIMENTS AMONG FARMERS.

OF all the means within the reach Of the
husbandman for making new discoveries and
eliciting new truths, none seem so generally
available or so certain of success. as we'll
conducted experiments. These will furnish
the key to unlock the chest Of gold, the source
from which have sprung ant viii! spring the
most important improvements in science and
art, and it is 10 them we must look for those
mighty advantages and blessings which we
| anticipate from future discoveries.
Experiments. know, have often been made
the subject Of ridicnle but the farmer should
never be deferred from trying them by the
jeers and ill-bodng predictions Of those who
| interest themselves more about the affairs of
others than their own. Had Fulton been in
fuenced by the i'll augure6 omens of the null
titude, he would never have tried the expert
ment of propelling boat by steam. Neither
ought the enterprising farmer to be- discoura-
ged by failures for "true glory consists not
in never falling, but in rising every time we
fall" Let him pursue a straight forward;
persevering course of experimenting, and in
the end he will find that the gain will far ex-
coed the loss. Yet, proper care and vigilance
should be observed while walking in untrod
paths. No matter how plausible a theory
may appear, it should not be relied on with
confidence, until it has been proved by expe:
riment 10 be sound and trust worthy. Hear
say evidence should always be regarded with
dstrust until our own experience has tested
its validity. and caution must sometimes be
observed in putting it 10 this test. It will
not do 10 follow the example of the farmer,
who, having heard that hog could be made
fat by feeding it on one of corn and pail
full of water per day, starved dozen TO death
in trying the experiment.
The better way is to try experiments on
small scale, as the truth can be as well ascot:
tanned in this way, as by running the hazard
of great loss. with the uncertain prospect of
great gain. The utmost care should be OBJ
served in whatever innovation may be tried;
and the appearance of success should not al:
ways be regarded as a certain evidence there
Of. We ought also 10 be cautious about re-
commenting to others, particularly through a
public journal, system which has been found
good under certain circumstances, but which
might not prove so under all. Such injudi-
cious advice, given undoubtedly with good
motives, has so often resulted 10 failure and
disappointment, as to keep alive the unreal
sonable prejndices against book farming. If,
for example, one man finds by experience that
lime, applied to his corn, has increased the
product one-halr, he is not warranted in say
ing it will al,rays have so good an effect. In
this case, the soil must be taken into consid-
Grafton. Had this individual gone further.
and furnished a correct analysis Of his soil, he
might then very properly have given the re.
| suit of his experiment as evidence Of the ben.
eft that might be expected from the use OF
lime on soil similar to his own. The way to
make experiments result to our own good and
to that Of others, is to conduct them on a scale
adapted to our resources, and 10 bring to their
aid the important auxilaries of an enlighten-
ed judgment ano sonnd understanding.
AS suitable lbjects for experiment and in
vestigation, would suggest, list, The trials
of various kinds of manures, organic and in
organic that the soil on which they are ap-
piled should be analysed, its situation and exi
posure taken into consideration, and the varl-
Gus advantages Of the different manures care
fully noted down. ID, That every farmer
should keep correct account of all the ex-
penses attending the cultivation Of each crop.
and every particular of his management. He
will thus ascertain what kinds Of produce are
best adapted to his soil, which is most profita!
Bile, and what mode of treatment most effica-
cious. Sd. Experiments in feeding and fat
teninp different kinds of stock in order to as
certain the cheapest and best system. 9th
ers might be mentioned, but cases will occur
almost daily. where the farmer will be at a
loss which Of two or three methods TO adopt,
and in such instances would say, try them
both or all. when practicable watch the re-
suit Of each, ascertain which is hest, and theL.
you will have a guide to direct your after
management, in which you can place more
confidence than in any hearsay testimony:
\ Much benefit would undoubtedly De deri-
we'd from a systematic course OF experiments;
That gradual progress has long been, and
still is going forward IN American agriculture,
is an undeniable fact; and it is equally true
that there still remains much more for i'm.
movement. No farmer should feel satisfied
while the system remains imperfect, and each
one ought to consider it his interes. az well
as his duty, to contribute to the advancement
and dignity of his calling. Every individual
who cultivates an acre or more Of ground, has
it in his power to do something towards the
attainment Of perfection in agrtcolture:-
Where there is will there IS way, 10
tri,e and true saying, and should be consider
ed by those who make no effort to improve.
and who attribute their i'll success to "bad
luck, instead of bad management. To those
who are really anxious to acquire useful
knowledge; the means Of obtaining j; are sell
dom wanting, and that knowledge which 10
gained by our own experience is much more
valuable and lasting than that when comes
secondhand and has cost us little exeruon.
| IN, a :, -.ct have established