The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-03

=" - eleui VI Sdicty anu success Under
standing and following the laws of nature.
Medicine has gained more from the single
discoveries OF clUse and bold observation than
from centuries Of theory.
Inns Is what is needed in farming t. know
the laws OF nature as far as they affect this
calling; to find the facts-iu the case as they
relate TO soils. 10 manures and to animal life,
OF the necessity of this, lake one illustration
Tor the whole. There are certain vegetable
noulds which may give nourishment TO plants,
out water alone will not dissolve them, one
thing is demanded before they will part with
their virtues. You may wet and drv, freeze
and thaw, boil aud bake, and steam andsweat
them. With all this coaxine and driving,
they will hug their nourisbment the tighter.
Under that process You may as well treat your
land With gravel stones, o. granite etiips.--
But give them an slkali and like misers on
their death beds, they surrender all their
treasures at once. IT that slkaii is not in the
soil it must be furnished from without
II is said that animal mannres annually ap-
piled 10 crops 10 England exceeds-at currer
prices-the value ofall the foreign commerce.
There is not the same aInouni applied here
but sufficient TO make il worthy Of the most
careful and diligent attention. II is impor
tdnt 10 know the proprieties OF different ma
nures, and thevarous soils and crops TO which
each may be applied; 10 know when you have
made your land too rich, when SO many
stems and leaves, and branches have been
started that they cannot gain support from
the air sufficient to bring them to maturity.
When the prolific mother has brought forth
more children than the father can support,
Perhaps many Of you may have this kuowl-
edge now, in whole or in part. But suppose
you have not. how is it to be gained! Not
entirely by books, nor entirely without books
You cannot make laboratories of your potash
kettles TO find out the ammonia, and oxygen,
and hydrogen, and humic acid and caIbonic
acid. So far as experiments on soils and
manures are concerned you must learn them
from others, II is one tho blessings Of this
age that science has been applied TO these
points and her results are within the reach of
all, in our own language. in cheap publica-
lions, easily accessible and easily understood.
know that some scout all use Of books, bid
US go out in the wide field and learn the
whole from nature herself. But how will
this work! Suppose man starts from this
spot and, without any previous knowledge or
principles, goes out to yon1er field and looks
straight down into sand bank, or bed OF
muck or mari. How Dlnch more will he
know when he looks up the heaven than lie
did when he looked down 10 the earth! He
may know that he appears very wise in his
own eyes, and not he conscious that he ap-
pears very stupid in the eyes Of all other men.
This class are ever prating about the pleas
ures and beauties Of farming. trust farmers
have real pleasure to Sustain their tolls, but
they come through channels utterly unknown
10 such minds. What does that hardy lad
care about the beauties OF nature, while he
is Juggling and sweating. under broiing sun,
TO keep up his row Of greenswardl How
much does the man think Of the beauties Of
the animal creation who spends his leisure
time in doctoing foot-rot sheep7 The isno-
rant pedant may sit in the quiet shelter and
rant on the beauties and sublmities Of a thun-
der-storm as il moves up the vault of heaven.
But what does that farmer in the mead
ow think Of i'll His ardent and only wish
is that the aforesaid thunderstorm would
please keep its beauties and sublimities at
respectful distance till he gets his hay in
the barn. To work intelligently man
must have some little capital to start with,
for he cannot like the speculaior go entire
ly on the credit system. Nature does not
babble her secrets in every ear till she
sees some little anxiety to make the dig
coveiy. Even then she often leases her !
lovers with most provoking delays. The
great mass ofthings necessary TO be known
are practical facts within the reach Of ev-
cry one. They do not demand the aid Of
science. They will not all be found out
at once; at one time, or by one man, but
by thousands of different persons each ma
king careful examination for himself The
report of one ofihese, on the various meth
DDS Of cutting corn, is now going the
rounds Of the popers, and is worth all the
lectures of botanists and philosophers on
he circulation of the sap. Farming will
come up to perfection gradually by adj
ling line upon line, here little and there
4 liuIlc. Aud hence the value OF this as
ISOLATION where the experience ofeach may
De told to all the rest And you should
ook upon it not as temporary expedient
,ut an established institution. You should
improve and expand it, and leave it an
lonored annual holiday, where your chill
iren's children shall find their pleasures .
IN the same line with their interests. The
intent of this society should be faithfully
carried out, you should show not only I
chat you have done, but hoU you have {;
lone it. A fact may appear to be useless s
o one man. but lead another to the most {
important discoveries. The glass retort ;
hat came across the Atlantic was of no s
Ise to those who sent if, they could make {
Iothing of it, but Franklin warmed it into
life and from it that seed brought forth the {
mysterious science of electricity. {
1t is as necessary to report your defeat
s your success. l do not suppose you !
NIL raise a committee or award premi-
IN to the most splendid failure in the coun- :
Y. But it is important to make it known.
t may save neighbor a whole year of $
oil. This association is not meeting to
ratify vanity, and display pride. 1t is c
God for nothing only OH the ground Of a
all, frank, and manly disclosure of all in
diligence that can benefit an associate. O