The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-11-10

Vi SCieHCc, llluSt De content ii lie ONLY makes
sboth ends meet" at the termination OF
the year OF his toll and his labors.
Being endowed with reason, being blessed
with the faculty of obtaining knowledge,
we do not fulfil our high destiny of we do
not employ it, in whatever calling Provi-
dencc may have placed us to act. The
command to fallen man g thou shalt earn
thy bread by the sweat Of thy brow" is as
imperative in regard to the employment
of our intellectual powers as it is in rcla-
ton to our physical exertions.
It must be conceded that we should
know the composition Of our soils that is
that we should know what the causes are,
which produce crops. You apply manures
to enrich your fields, must You not know
of what those manures are composed Can
you apply them correctly can you apply
them accurately, when you are ignorant Of
what is in your soil, and ignorant of what
is in your manure? You may, it is true,
learn for yourself by crpcrimcnt how they
act, on each other, whether they will pay
or not. But experiments cost labor; they
consume time, and time is the farmers
money-it is at least the material out of
which he makes money. Ifit can be saved
he can save his money, and get immediate
reward for his labor. To prevent this loss
science steps in, capable OF giving all the
information, without loss OF time and
means, which experiment can give, and at
the same time, it is more certain and more
general in ITS application.
The only thing to be considered now is,
whether or not by the aid of this science
OF chemistry, we can ascertain the compo-
sition olsoiis. and the materials which en-
ter into the composition OF soils, and the
materials which enter into the composition
of manures, &c. 1t Is the Oldest of all
sciences,--its principles are Of the most
general and universal application. In the
preparation Of the material which color
the dress of the "Bele OF the Ball'' we in
woke Its aid the fabrication olthe anchor
holding fast the largest vessel in its haven
of safety, where s:the winds blow and the
storms descend,' we are powcress without
its assistance. In the manufacture Of every
thing to supply our necessities; in the
preparation of every thing to minister TO
our comforts; in the production Of every
thing to supply our artificial wants, to sat
| isiy the cravings Of luxury in the dctec-
ton Of The causes Of disease, in the prepara-
ton of remedies to avert It. OF to cure Il
when we are suffering under its effects,
we call upon 1t for ass,stance-v'e call up
I Il II
in vain" A great English philosopher,
armed with its truths, constructed lamp
which, preventing explosions, saves thou
sands from death in the Utmost bowels OF
the earth. A great American philosopher,
taught by its principles, constructed the
| lightning rod, avcrting and passing of
harmless, even the thundcrbolts OF heaven
| Nothing is too small Tor its notice, nothing
too great for its comprehension. 1t looks
upon the veriest atom as created by Gods
will upon the universe as an only an in
vcntlon OF his voltion-upon all nature as
one great lesson lrcm which to derive in
struction-upon all things alike
CAS- parts of one superior whole
The Judges of your court will tell you
that upon its dicta frequently hang lie and
death. That in cases OF criminal prosecu-
ton for poisoning, every thing depends
upon whether or not the Chemist can de-
tcct the poison whose administration has
been alledged.
Now, if you can repose sufficient conf
dence in it to convict fellow creature Of
a crime, the penalty of which is "to be
hanged by the necl, until he is dcad,' do T
ask too much of you, to give it only that
degree OF belief, which will admit its abil-
| ity to detect the materials in your soil the
materials in your manure. ] do not ask
you to take my explanation Of their action
in producing crops, only take the facts
which my peculiar profession, has enabled
me to obtain, and draw what differences
from them you please. feel well salts
fled that those interenccs will be correct
that they will enable you to manure your
lands more cheaply give you larger re-
turn for your labor, and insure you de-
gree of certainty in all ofyour processes
| OF farming, Whicn you never before pos
sessed. When this is accomplished my
labor is done, my yeaTnings satisfied, my
mission ended.
The composition of soils now claim our
attention. We have many different sub
stances in different proportions; those which
are necessary to vegetation: we determine
in two ways, first always finding them in
the plant. Where we find one thing III
ASSOCIATION with another, never separate
never distinct from it, we must naturally
conclude that it is necessary to the exis'
tence of that thing. In plants we fine
particular substances always present. They
are never found without them. In nj
country, in no cline do they ever exist
save in connection with thom-they ther