The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-05-22
analysis of the Soil.

very excellent article with this caption an
pearcd in the May number of the Prairie Farm
cr, which we shall transfer to our columns next
week. tlsb by practical amaly=cr of this coun-
ty. 1t will be read with interest The Prairie
Farmer ought to be in the hands of every west
ern man, who makes his living from the soil,
and WHO'S desirous ofkecping up with the "pro-
gress Of the age
Agriculture, like every other science or art,
is progressive; and it is the privilege of every
one, not only to keep pace with it's onward
movement, but to assist in this progress, and to
| contribute his own mite to the great store house
OF knowledge, until this and kindred sciences
are pushed on to perfection.
The principal characteristic which distinguish
es man from the rest of the animal creation, in
his relationship to this world, is the faculty of
inheriting knowledge from his predecessors, and
of improving upon that knowledge, by his own
observation and reflection. The bee of modern
same shape as the bee of the remotest antiquity.
Each species of birds builds it's nest after the
same unalterablc pattern, and sings the same in
variable melody. The sheep of the present day
has no better defence against the wolf, nor has
the fly against the spider, the small birds a.
gainst the hawk than the like animals of former
times. The same wants, similar dangers, like
defects, and unalterable customs are the con-
slant attendants of each different tribe; nor is a.
ny individual benefited by the experience, or by
he INN of all
Man alone has received from his Creator the
nestimable advantage of being benefited by the
knowledge of his fore fathers, and by being able
to bequeath that knowledge, together with his
own improvements, to his posterty.
The accumulated experience of lono &C.
ries of years, accurately recorded in books or
traditionally handed down from one generation
to another, gradually improved as it passes the
alembic of superior minds, constitutes the rcscr-
uoir of human knowledge. 1t is the province
Of science to arrange under distinct heads, and
to elucidate each particular subject; and the pro-
vince of .4rt to make practical application of
this knowledge.
Hence the Agriculturist is not only engaged
in one of the most useful arts that enlsts the at
tention of the human mind, or calls forth the
strength of the human arm; but he is, at the same
time, prosecuting upon grand and exalted scale,
the most useful and pleasing of the human sci
ences. AS a Philosopher, he propels his loads,
raises weights, and turns the sod, in the manner
and by the implements suggested by the science
of Philosophy. AS Chemist, he analyzcs, de-
composcs, and re-combines the elements of Ma
ture, according to the beautiful and unvaryng
laws of matter. His Laboratory is the spacious
feld:-hs furnace the life giving sun:-his wa
ter-baths and gas holders, the genial showers of
heaven, and the impervious clay beds ofthc soil.
His alkales, and his acids, and his earths, arc
not bottled up and labelled, to be used with par
simonious care; but are furnished to his hand
from the bountiful store house of Nature His
manipulations with the splendid apparatus Of
Nature, are not mere fnnciful experiments, but
such as yield a sustainancc, and minister to the
wants, and promote the happiness of his species.
Agriculturists should study the works Of their
own hand. They should subscribe for the "Prai-
rie Farmer''-and for the ".Mncrs Erprcss"
.l'hcm'