True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-05-15
9Qritnltnral,
FARM FYpFRTMTNTS

FAkM EAPEhIMENTS
We hold in high appreciation, the prac-
teal experiments Of practical men in their
farming operations, and as intimatcd else
where, shall be much pleased to make our
sOlGmns the medium Of their publication.
Wewould, however, remind correspondents
tha. the successful result cf a single ex-
pertinent ought not TO be satisfactory to
themsplros, ard cannot ms general thing
be beneficial 70 the community. The first,
experiment in almost any other direction.
may be so entirely satisfactory rs to pre-
elude the possibility of doubt of its com
plcte adaptedness to public use, butin any
occupation go varied in its attendant cir
eamstsnces as farming, one trial is not
enough. The man who builds up theory
AMI recommends its application in prac-
live, on so light foundation, runs the
risk mt only of sacrificing his own rcputa-
ton but of seriously injuring those who
Odop: his suggestion. Our farmers al
thongh pru lent men have much Of the Ego
aheai" principle which is so striking
characteristic OF the American people.
They stand ready to adopt any system of
culture which promises to be in a higher
degree remunerativc, than that last purs-
ued.
We admire the men, who haying the
means, have the courage to test the value
Of q plausible theory-Such men are the
pioneers of progressive farming If the
trial proves unsuccessful they areablc and
willing to meet the consequences; but un-
fortunately, this is not the case with all
Sxperimontcrs. Our young men are in an
eminent degree imbucd with this progress
sive spirit. The novelty and excitement
attendant upon the introduction of new
seeds, implements, or systems Of culture,
have 100 many charms to be resisted, and,
~ is often the case, these novelties are
commended by writers who arc either in
terested in their sale or adoption By the
community, or whose experience in their
use is limited to single experiment. l.
it wonderful then, that we hear of the fail
ure offs many of the highly extolled nov
elites Of farming. It is to guard against
such errors as these, that we throw out our
suggestions.
We nre desirous Of rendering our paper
reliable in every particular, and in order
to this end, must have reliable data upon
which to build. A very general impress
ion prevailed that mn enormous product is
necessary to render an experiment worth
recording. Here we have another hurt
full error. Such extraordinary results are
not demanded by good husbandry, nor does
experience as general thing sustain them.
If under peculiar circumstances and treat
ment, much heavier crop than usual is
obtained, such a result is certainly worth
Icing made public; but the following sea-
son, if under the same treatment the yield
is greatly lessened, that fact is equally val
nablc. tits not the successes of farming
experiments only, with which the farmer
should be made acquainted, the failures
aso should be brought to his notice, and
that prominently, in order that he may be
enabled to steer clear of the shoals upon
which the hopes and expectations of 9TH
srs have been wrecked. We therefore re-
peat the request, that when results of ex-
pcrimcnts are furnished for publication,
the writers will distinctly state during how
many seasons trials were made, whether
single one, or two, Or three, or moro.-If
his course is pursued our readers will be
enabled to form a more correct estimate Of
their value, and adopt or reject them
az the circumstances seemed to Justify.