Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-11-04
AN ADDRESS,
Delivered before the GaIIia Connty AErI.
cuIturaI socIeiy, Oct. 93d, 1s59.

~ BY A. T. HOLCOMB, ESQ.
II is the destiny of man TO subsist
In this world, mainly, upon the pro.
ducts OF the soil. ,--
To the earth then, we are ad.
monished 10 look, chiefly, Tor the
supplies OF our physical wants.
1t is another general law, that
man is destined TO labor in order 10
secure subsistence; and from this
duty he should never shrink. Con>
stituted as we are, labor is blessing
rather than curse, "for the soul OF
the sluggard desireth, and hath
nothing; but the soul oi the diligent
shall be made lat"
By the orderings OF Providence,
man is so constituted, that he who
cheerfuIly submits TO its laws, and
willingly takes upon himself the
burdens imposed upon him, will find
blessings attending him on every
side. re- & 80 e-t
Labor is inseparably connected
with all the nobler forms of enjoy
meni; it forms an alliance with
thought, by reason Of which alliance,
a coepartnership is entered into be-
tween agriculture and science.
The application of science 10 ag-
riculture, is among the prominent
characteristics of this, age. We
learn from the earliest history of the
world, that men titled the soil; but
we are not informed, nor do we be.
lieye. they studied the science
thereof, and applied it practically,
TO the mode Of augmenting produc.
ton.
The commerce Of the world has
become Of such Importance, to al.
most every portion of it, that it ha:
aroused the agricultural spirit o.
millions who we're hitherto content
TO do as their fathers did.
Look at the tens OF thousands who
meet together at the annual state
Fairs: Look at the hundreds and
thousands who attend the annual
County Fairs. Look at the charac
ter, standing and moral north o
those who attend, and take the
greatest interest in them. Look a
the periodical! literature of agricul
turaI science-its quarterlies, il:
monthlies, semi-monthlies and week
lies. Consider tho various Other
scientific works devoted TO this sub
ject; the amount of mind, Of educa.
ton; concentrating IFS energies &c
the progress and diffusion OF science
as applied and applicable TO agricuI.
tural production. <
The stndy of agricultural science
is, comparatively, a new study;
much has vet to be learned by scien.
tific Investigation and practical OBJ
servation,
To satisfy thinking minds it will
be necessary to investigate the sub
iect: and frst-What is dgricultura
science7 Where does it beginl and
what are its principlesy
AS | understand the subject, al
plants iUe by eating, they require
food, aud each one requires fooc
peculiar 10 itself. By agriculture
science we are enabled to ascertain
what food is best adapted to eacf
plant, and by what means we shal
Furnish and regulate the supply.
By the science Of chemistry we
sre enabled TO determine the pro
portions and qualities Of the con
s.ituent parts Of every plant. 1t i
necessary to understand all this il
order 10 supply the proper nutri
ment.
And as every farmer is not
chemist, il is recommended that the
procure the first publications, on hi
spbiect, and devote portion OF thel
t;ne TO. their reading and study.
In latter years, the efforts OF th
.blest pens, and the best store
rooms OF the laboratory Of th
chemist, are occupied in investigs
tions and in. analyzing all the con
ponent parts Of tillablse earths, I
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