The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-01
Letter from Prof. E.nmons.
TO his Eaceliency Darid S. Reid.

| TO his E9celiency Darid S. Reid. - -.a-~sss
MOUNT AIRY, Oct. 80, ,1ar
SIR The great desideratum in husbandry is
| 10 grow crop Of determined quality at will, or
to grow crop which shall possess the characlers,
and properties il is wished. For instance, there
! is variety of tobacco whose qualities command
the highest market price. 1t is for the interest Of
the tobacco grower to rnse the highest priced ar.
! tlcle. Ii costs TO send il TO Market and
! probably the expense of production and prepare,
ton Tor market will not much exceed that to( The
cheapest varieties OF this kind of merchandise =
there are therefore reasons for raising the former
in preference to the lalter. Certnin kinds of new
soil produce the kind wanted Tor time, but cease
alter few crops have been cut. The ordinary
plan Of treating soil thus exhausted, not to the
extent to grow the plant, bot changed by culriva-
tlon so far as TO give an article Of diminished va.l
lue. We may assume tie position that the quail.
~ depends on the composition of the soil and po,
on climate. We may now enquire what steps
should be tahen 10 ensure the desired production
We must know first what elements in the comto-
sltlon Of tobacco mparl the desired qualities =
We compare the thin fine lea we'd with the coarser
leaved varieties. Our samples for examination
and analysis must have acquired maturity. There
must be an equality 10 richness, other wise lolr
results cannot be depended upon. We. must COM.
pare too those parts which occupy the saJns posi-,
ton upon the plant; for it is established fact.
that the composition Of parts of the Sameplant
differ. Thus the lower part OF the straw Of oals
wheat or rye, differs from the upper, and hence rs
may be inferred that the lower leaves Of a tobac.
co plant may differ from the upper even after the
Plaat has reached its maturity. The soil being
the source from whence the plant acquires its
characteristic properties, il becomes necesSaryto
investigate the properties ol lhe sod also during,
the time il is producing The fine leaved higIrpriccd
tobacco, and subsequently, thereto as we learn byr
AT IA lS halta cnlfi. ~
has become by cultivation. Ii seems that the n.,,
veshgaIion should put us in possession Of all he
data required. We shall haze obtained tho in.
IorDaatIon alluded to- communication ON the
analysis Of SOIL in which it is stated that slL,hat
IS important TO know in soil anal yss IS the relation
d composition to product; that relation. being.
supposed lobe constant, both il regards auanti.
y and quality. v-- ~ e-g4. -. -.
What remains for the. tobacco culturist-to O do ia
act upon the information The Investigation gives
llm or II Is TO test IN practice what theory dc
aes. Does the high priced tobacco tcontain a.,
,iven amount Of polasll constant element of,
omPosilon, and does the soil contain in lis orig
nal slate the Same element, but loses il by culll-
atlon, and rie plant deprecjatcs down to a third
ate article, il is almost deduction OF science un.g
er all This cumulative testimony that il is 10 he
resence OF potash in certain proportions in the
oil that the article owes its market value. Nov
doctor 10 an eneebled constitution, where he
,as satisfied there was a deficiency OF iron in the
lood would prescribe iron. and Why should not
usbandry take lesson from lile7 -. -
Wha! is true of The tobacco hu.bandry is fruo
wheat husbandry o. any husbandry whatever
he tendency Of The human mind in its earlyen.
l'rIes after ends and eauses, are distinguished
r great deficiency OF facts. Subse0uentlvI
cts are sought for, because it is seen that specu.
lions alone are unProduclye.r Husbandry ia
after OF fact business but snl its perfection ad.
It's OF theory; and theory here is an expression
thought, growing out Of or suggested BY fscis.
acts are always suggestive; but facts differ in.
er suggestlons-so do books, and books and
CTS which are The mos, suggestive or which mast.
cline US to ,heorIze. or in other words 10 think,
e The most valuable. 49,
Mos' respectfully your ob't servh, 80
.yz,,.,E. EMMoNS.
D"s'ieks says that in the New York boarding
uses they can tell when they, get new hired
10y the coloE Of lhe hairs il :he biscuits.-'
yh 80 - '5s-IF Y 0T'I'stt %