Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-01-08

seems then. that afler all. but a compara-
lively limited portion Of the farmers are
aroused. even to the necessity and sdvan'
,age Of these simple steps towards improve
meot. Again, in going through our villages.
how many people do VIC find. who never
read any of The agricultural newspapers or
periodicals, and who are ready 10 dcclaim
against them all as useless. How limited
is the sale Of even The largest and mos. ably
conducted Of the periodicals, compared with
what it ought to be, If all appreciated its
value.
But desire to 60 a step farther, and to
leave out Of the question all those who may
be considered entirely uninteres,ed and in
credulous on the subject Of improvement ;
and to ask how far can we depend on those
who attend fairs and shows with much in.
terest, who read papers and hear addresses
with some degreeo Of attention. Surely here
we may look for the fullest approval in
every scientific movement, and in any edu.
caiional movement; here at last, in places
of ridicule and contempt, we shall find
warm encouragement and assistance. How
far these an,icipations are realized, those
who have had occasion 10 present such sub
jec,s, can testify. With he farmers con.
sli,u,ing a majority in mos, Of our Iesisla.
lures, projects for educational establishments
having their interest in view, are suffered
10 lie neglected. or even despised. year aE
ter year, while money is at the same time
voted away by thousands through the votes
Of these same farmers. for comparatively
triflIng objects with which they have little
or nothing 10 do. This evil is gradually
lessenng, but yet strong manifestations OF
ii may be seen in almost every capital Of
states, during each legislative session. Can
any one doubt, tha, the farmers when once
convinced that money can be appropriated
with benefit TO the cause OF agriculture, will
hesitate 10 appropriate il so far as is neces
sary! Can any one doubt but that if they
were fully and really convinced. they would
do it now. freely and not grudgnely? So
far is this from true. that even in three
states. where appropriations have been
made. it has been amid doubts, fears, and
opposiiions.
The conclusion forced upon the mind by
such reasoning. and such facts, us the
foregoing, is, that the majority OF the farm
ers in our states are not ye, prepared to
advance very rapidly, and are no, sufficient.
ly imbued with spirit Of improvement.
Many Of them are, as have said, disposed
10 the vague belief that some improvement
is needed, but they are inclined 10 rest in
the expression Of this belief. They are not
ready TO take active measures to bring ihi.
knowledge into practical forms. and within
their reach, or TO aid in its increase. They
shrink from actual Innovations, although
theoretically they may be brought to
acknowledge them possibly advisable. 10
short, " hat The mass of farmers call con.
viciion. as TO the merits of scientific agri. |
culture, is merely somewhat favorable
if,hey are really convinced
hat there was much 10 oe learned from il.
hey would not be so foolish as to neglect
decisive and prompt measures for bringing
A kno"ledge Of it within their reach. 10
such case men Of science would not be,
as ii were, compelled to produce The re-
suits oflhcir labors and to apply them TO !
practice. in II sur, Of uPoiOgetic way. as il !
for meddIing with what they did not un-
bu, they would be sought a(er |
and encouraged. and urged forward in
every possible way.
It is strange that after all which has !
been already done. such spiri, does not
show itself n"re strongly while, too. the
advantages from The suPpiicalion Of chem.
lsiry, or'f The other sciences, 10 practice,
is so EXTREMITY capable Of proof.
Suppose, for instance. farmer entering
upon new soil. Of which he knows moth
ing, either in respect to lis composition, or
It's physical properties. lie wishes 10 grow
wheat upon ii, that being perhaps the bes,
crop he can raise. il il will do we'll. HIS
only way Of deciding this question is by
actual experiment for there are some |
soils that look perfectly well 10 the eye and
yet will not grow good wheat. II the
crop fails, his labor is all lost, and q year
Of his life has gone also. To this il may
be answered, that manure is all that is
needed, and that any farmer knows it al.
ready, without thanks to the chemist.
This is true 10 certain extent. but in many
cases expericrc: has shown that common
manure will no, produce good wheat, even
wien heavily applied 10 the land. Here
hen occurs the necessity for chemical
analysis; by its means We are ena.
bed TO ascertain what are the sub.