Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-22
LETTER FROM PROF. EMMoNs.
IL ais Ercst,eney Daoia s. Reid.

9DrCEttSHCX DNDtN
MOUNT AIRY, Oct 80.
STR: The great desideratum in husbandry is to
grow crop OF determined quality at will, or to
grow crop which shall possess the characters and
properties it is wished For instance there is va
riety of tobacco whose qualities command the high.
est market price 1t is for the interest of the tobacco
grower to raise the highest priced article. 1t costs
no more to send it to market and probably the ex-
pense of production aud preparation for market will
not much exceed that of the cheapest varieties of
this kind of merchandise there are therefore rea-
SONS for raising the former in preference to the latter
Certain kinds of new soil produce the kind wanted
for time, but cease after few crops have been cut
The ordinary plan of treating soil thus exhausted,
not to the extent to grow the plant but changed by
cultivation so far to give article of diminished
value. We may assume the position that the quail
ty depends on the composition of the soil and not
climate. We may enquire what steps should
be taken to ensure the desired production. We
must know first what elements in the composition
of tobacco impart the desired qualities. We COM
pare the thin fine leaved with the coaser leaved va
rietes Our samples for examination and analysis
must have acquired maturity. There must be an
equality to richness, otherwise results cannot
be depended upon. We must compare too those,
parts which occupy the position upon the
plant for it is established fact that the compo
sition of the parts of the same plant differ. Thus
the lower part of the straw of oats, wheat or rye,
differs from the upper, and hencs it may be Inferred
that the lower leaves of tobacco plant may differ
from the upper even after the plant has reached its
the plant acquires its characteristic properties it be-
necessary to investigate the properties of the
soil also during the time it is producing the fine lea
we'd high priced tobacco, and subsequently thereto,
learn by the first what it is before cultivation
and what it has become by cultivation. 1t seems
that the investigation should put in possession of
all the data required. We shall have obtained the
information alluded to in communication on the
analysis of SOIL in which it is stated that all that is
important to know in soil analysis is the relation OF
composition to product; that relation being suppos-
ed to be constant, both as it regards quantity and
quality
What remains for the tobacco culturst to do is to
ctupon the information the investigation gives him,
it is to test in practice what theory dictates Does
the high priced tobacco contain given amount of
potash a constant element Of composition, and
does the soil contain in its gnal state the same
element but loses it by cultivation, and the plant
depreciaes down to third rate article, it is almost
a deduction of science under all this cumulative tcs-
tmony that it is to the presence of potash in certain
proportions in the soil that the article its mar
ket value. Now doctor in enfeebled consttu-
ton, where he satisfied there deficiency
of iron in the blood would prescribe iron, and why
should not husbandry take lesson from life?
What is true of the tobacco huSbandry is true OF
wheat husbandry or any husbandry whatever The
tendency OF the human mind in its early enquiries
after ends and causes, distinguished for great
deficiency of facts. Subsequently facts sought
for, because it is that speculations alone arc
unproductive. Husbandry is matter of fact bust
ness, but still its perfection admits of theory and
theory here expression of thought growing out
of suggested by facts. Facts arc always sugges-
tive; but facts differ in their suggcstions-so do
books, and books and facts which are the most sug
gestive which most incline us to theoriZe, in
other words to think, the most valuable.
Most respectfully your obt serv't.
E. EMMONS.