Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-01-24
DIR. BAER'S LECTURE on AGRIcUL.
Il TURAL CHEMISTRY.

Al meeting of the Valley Agricultural Soce-
ty on Friday, the l7th ns,ant, after the society
was called 10 order, the President introduced Dr.
WIN. BAER, Of Carroll county, Nd whohad been
invited by the Society 10 VII; Il this portion of Vir
giniaa their guest. The Doctor thereupon de-
.vered lecture on Agricultural Chemistry, and
its application to Agriculture, which was replete
with scientific research He commenced BY illus
trating the beautiful truths connected with the
science OF Chemistry and the simplicity of lis APP
plication 10 the knowledge 81 the soils, and show
ing how readily each and every farmer may
make himself acquainted with this important SUBJ
iect The beauty Of The Doctors lecture con-
sisted in part OF its being u1like most discourses
from scientific men, from the fact that be desired
no displayot supposed knowledge and scientific
terms but whenever twas necessary TO nse those
terms he gave full and lucid explanation Of
them. and at the same time making ID evident
that there was more meaning in the purely scen.
iitic appellatiyes than in those commonly in use
by men unearned 10 The science. In the first
place he spoke Of the laws Of nature, aud their
intimate and necessary connection one with The
other, the forcible attributes existing TO their So
veral and general continuance. He then treated
elaboratelv Of the composition Of soils, and lie
necessary compounds essential to the production
OF certain grains, grasses, &c, going fully into
the base, and acids which constitute all soils.
and showing the necessity of all 10 exist in lis
proportionate quantumto rernunerate the farmer
for bis toll expended IN the preparation of the
soil Tor crops. The remarks on this portion Of
the lecture were beautifully Illustrated by ma u .
in the first place, showing thelafnities Of metals
and their compounds for the acids and alkali,s
and on a second map WINS represented the various
subslraia met with in The varieties Of soil. from
the purely sandy through all its gradaiions Ia the
nsoluble red clay-a variety, which fortunately
we, 10 this region, are little inflicted with. on
another map the Doctor explained the effsct 81
the different locations Of land and the influence
on them exercised BY certain prevailing winds,
during The spring months. This lecture afforded
universal satisfaction 70 those who were so eortu
nate as TO be present, and one universal senti.
ment prevailed that the subject was treated Of by
master mlrd. eyincilg deep research, and a
| clear and intelligent power toexpIain After the
Doctor had graiihed his audience for more than
an hour, which seemed oHly few moments. in
this intellectual treat, be requested his audience
10 ask any questions 90 which their minds were
not fully satisfied Various and varied questions
were then pfopounded " his delighted hearers.
to all Of which be gave answers, and not only an
swers, but the reasons wig aud wherefore. until
all were satisfied, and retired 10 think On he suh
iect fully witha view of having the mind graft.
fed TO is full extent on Monday. when the Doc
tor had kindly consented 10 deliver another lec-
tnre. The Society then passed unanimouslv !
vote osthanks to Dr. Baer for his aha and in,e-
resting lecture X.