Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-10-20

mind working by the rigid process Of induce
ton through series Of experiments; but how
ever attainedit is poDer-power magnifying
the resources of man, and convertible TO his
use. Every successful farmer is, to some
extent, scientific one. There cannot be
continued success in farming against the
laws Of nature. Whether he knows il or
not, he has in the given cases applied labor
in harmony with these laws. To maintain
otherwise is to rebuke the intelligence Of
God.
The widest prejudice against the appica-
ton Of science TO the art of agriculture, has
arisen from confoundipg science with the op-
erations of men who have gone 10 the fields
book in hand, trusting TO reach judicious
| cultui lie by a prescribed formula. | deliver
over all such sciolists and smatterers TO the
appropriate rewards of poetical Justice
II the 'book farmer" has not succeeded, his
failure was the result of one or more of
three causes: First, the book did not contain
the requisite science or knowledge; second,
if it did, the farmer did not find it out; or
third, he had not the practical experience or
industry TO apply the knowledge the book
contained. | join in no crusade against
books. They haze been, and are, and will
be in all coming time, the repositories of
science. They are the Baskets which con-
tain the jewels Of the mind wrought by
genius in every age. Yet unlike other cas-
kcts, while they collect they distribute ALSO
But, gentlemen, that would be indeed
rare book-invaluable as rare-which con-
tains all the science necessary to the farmer
The art of agriculture demands the aid, not
OF one only, but of many sciences. The
aggregate fills the entire circle of the natu-
raj sciences. The elements Of agriculture
have rested on botany. The indications of
vegetable physiology have been, and YET are
the chief guides of The practical farmer.
Mechanics and hydraulics, are as essen
tiol to his yearly operations as the seed he
SONS. Geology only, can accurately teach
him the origin Of his soils, the cause of the
dlversities which they frequently exhibit
not only in the same farm but sometimes in
the same field, the nature and differences of
his subsoil, and the advantages or disadvan-
tages he may expect in bringing them to the
surface.
! Meteorology makes for him her tables,
showing the highest, the mean and the low
est temperatures, and also the quantity of
rain that falls during each day and each
month Of the year-knowledge eminently
useful for the proper culture Of the land
While chemistry discloses the composition
of soi!s-the composition of the atmosphere
the food upon which every plant must
| live--irom whence obtained, whether from
the earth or the air-the deficiencies of
soils, 10 the growth of particular plants
the causes of exhaustion of seils--the means
of restoration-when nature will supply
supply defcicncies-an when man must
do it for her, and how the principles upon
which alone, judicious rotation of crops
can be applied TO given soil;--in word,
the Office oil chemistry is 10 explain the pro-
cess OF vegetable life, in every stage of its
being, and show forth the results Of decay
and death. To this science agriculture must
ever look for its highest achievements; 9TH
er sciences may be important auxiliaries in
every step of her progress; but chemistry
must conduct her to prosperity. However
discovered as they have been; however
strife and il-feeling may have come between
them; however jealousy and ignorance NAV
have disturbed their union, agriculture and
chemistry are inseparably united; and what
God hath Joined together let no man put as
sunder.
Look at the art of culture as il now OBJ
tains in our country, is it not essentially
chemical art? You put lime or gypsum, or
guano on your land-what are thew but
chemical agents? and why do you add them
to the constituents of your soil Is it not
solely from the hope of chemical action p
II you drain your meadows, or irrigate
them, are you not seeking chemical action
Ii you subso!. what are YOU in search OF
but chemical action? II you let Your fields
lie in ialow, what are YOU waiting for but
chemical action? If instead of rest. Won.
practice rotation in crops, on what princi-
pie can you explain your practice other than
upon the laws Of chemical action? Even
your mechanical operation Of blowing, what
is it but a means OF inducing or facilitating
chemical action? And when YOU come TO
the composition of your manures, whether
vegetable or animal, or mineral, or all com
bined, you are engaged in that which de-
mandS large knowledge of the laws of
chemical action. Knowledge of the constit-
uents of your soil-knowledge Of its de-
iiciency--knowlcdge of what will supply
that deficieney--and knowledge how, and
from what source that supply shall come.
1t is thus manifest beyond the reach Of
cavil-that the agrculiurst, whether he
knows it or not, and in spite il may be of
the protoundcst ignorance of chemistry, is
nevertheless practically chemist.
Will knowledge of chemistry help the
eXpcrimen'er to his desired result? Ought
he 10 rely upon the ascertained or establish
ed truths Of science, or trust TO chance P
That is the question-that is the question.
The question of this hour--the question Of
this age, put by me, with gravity due 10
It's lmporIance--to every agriculturist in the
land-to all who are indirectly interested in
the products of the soil and 10 the public au-
thorities. Upon question so vital TO the
Slate-so big with results--so full of veal
or woe TO us in our day and generation, and
especially TO those who shall come after us.
! would invoke the shades of our mighty
departed for an answer. Ii it could be
Fort Hill and the Hermitage, Marshfield
and Ashland Monticello and Montpelier