Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-10-25

branches of knowledge now pursued with V!gor
and tenacity, unknown to the votary OF ancleni
learning, and to answer the purposes OF practcai
utility. They are made to serve the purposes anu
direct the course of the miner in his search Tor MN
eral treasures in the bowels of the earth, ana III
ransackng the coalelds which nature mas iaio as,e
in her great store house for the use of man. after
the forests have fallen before redundant popuatIon
They afford data by which the physician is enabled
to minister to human suffering; by which the manu-
facturcr imparts the tnts of beauty to his tabrlcs
by which the cutler tempers the edge of the maple
ofabor. They direct the engineer as he drives
his car careering over the land or propes his ship
against wind and current. .,s-.
1t is to agriculture especially, that all these great
departments of knowledge coming to serve as
landmarks. And it is little remarkable, that agri-
culture the oldest of human pursuits, the basis and
support of every other branch OF industry, should
be indebted for its late wonderful advancement to
the developments of other sciences whilst their
practical application requires materials furnished by
agriculture alone. Mineralogy and geology teach
the agriculturst the crude elements OF which his SOIL
is composed, and consequently, its peculiar adapta-
ton to what may be most renumerative to his labor
Chemistry teaches him the component qualities of
various branches of the vegetable kingdom, and the
peculiar properties of various manureS that he may
conform his crop to the natural capacity of the soil
by artificial MEANS apply those sources fertility,
in which the soil is deficient Botany teaches him
the constitution and character OF the cereal grains,
well of trees and flowers; and thus enables
him to aid their growth, and protect them against
their natural enemies, by industry and care Zoology
teaches him the pecularties instincts, habits, or
ganic structure, useful qualities and evil propenstes,
of brutes birds, and insects by which he may i'm
prove his Stocks increase the size, beauty, docity,
and vigor of those noble domestic animals, so in
dispensable to mans comfort and profitable labor
and then, again, to guard against the ravages ofthe
insect tribe annoying, and frequently so destruct-
i've to the farmers hopes Natural philosophy teaches
him the laws ofWnds and storms and rain and frost;
by which he may adjust his labor regulate his seed
time and harvest according to the operations of ma
ture. To descend little to detail, perfect con-
struetion of the pillow involves strict conformity
with the principle of curves and angles, that frc-
ton may be lessened, and motive power increased.
The proper method Of cutting ditch requires some
knowledge of the laws of hydroStatics. What
field is here presented to the ambition of the farmer
The whole domain of human knowledge is not too
broad for his research. Systematic agriculture,
though yet in its infancy is fast attaining its proper
position by the side ofits sister sciences The farmer
is at last within reach of that dgniied position to
which his calling entities him. if he will only exert
his strength and power in securing it. When we
reflect the Importance of agriculture to the pros
perity of State, and the great advantages of
science and learning to those who engaged in
its pursuits who shall say they are not necessary
for the farmer? Who shall continue still longer to
found agriculture with the habitual and laborious
routine of the drudge? am aware ofthe prejudice
with many against book farming" it is called.
And at the time this prejudice was first excited
inclined TO think there was some reason for it.
1t attempt to adapt the culture of other
tries, with different soil in different climates, for
the supply of people with different wants. because
it met with rcmuneratiEg profits there. But it is
science that has exposed tho falacy of such book
farming as this. Because turnips and beans and hops
are the most profitable crops in England, it is no
why it should be here. Because bluegrass
so valuable crop the limestone region of Ken
lucky, is reason why we should exhaust our
energies in trying to establish its general culture in
North Carolina Such errors as these, such book
farming as this, it is the purpose of scientific agicu
ture to point out.
GcoNCLUDED IN OUR NEXT