The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-13
APRIL l3. 1856.
Educated Farmers,

f- The following is the last of a series al
articles in the Country Gentleman, by H
French, on '-idpaatages Of Education 10 Farm
ers.'
Among the agencies invoked by science TO
the aid OF agriculture. electricity should not be
forgotten Surely that mysterious power.
winch lights up the winter heavens a. mid
night, making an Aurora Boreahs-a north
morning-of glory in place Of darkness
which swif,er than winged Mercury from
olympus, nay swifter than light itself. con-
veys the thoughts of men around the globe
which bound by some enchantment-by com
bmaiions of plates of different metals-has
even been compelled to labor at the wheel.
and drive the engine at mans biddnp-sure
" this power-this pro;ean spiri,-assume
what varied form he NAV, shall vet be held
captive till he reveal some of the secret work
ings of nature.
Ii is not improbable that electricity exerts =
controlling influence on all vegetation.
II IS stated that the point Of blade Of
grass. or OF the young wheat or barley, has
the power OF attracting to itself all the free
electricity present at four times the distance
that he finest point of metal will do so. Ex-
peflments IN Germany and in England seem
TO prove that vegetation may be very much
fastened by passing current of electricity
through the soil. It is gravelv stated in the
Gardeners Magazine. that at a dinner given
by the Marquis of Anglesea. the seeds of a
species of cross were sown in glass vessel a,
the time the guests sat down TO dinner. and
that the crop from these seeds was served to
them IN salad at the same meal
at is not good, SAYS PLATO, ..to push our
Investigations too far. The ma ural sciences
find their limits beyond which the mantle of
Isis covered the mysteries. Can any one re
veal the nature of force Of life. or of oaptioas'
Living, however. as we do in a new country
having no '.ancient land marks, we NAV h.,
allowed 10 look still farther on than did the
anclents, for the limits of "the natural sci
ences.' and we may vet see the dar when
Electricity may pTopel the pow. and fertilze
the soil, though it is obviously our part in the
mean time to labor, and not to wait for such
co-workers in the field
There is a class of operations in nature per-
tanning to the growth of plants, the causes of
which we can scarcely guess, much less com
prehend, and these for want OF more salts
factory name, have sometimes been called Eeg-
etaJie Instincts.
Among these may be mentioned, the ten
dency Of many trailing vines TO run towards
water. 1t is said that if YOU place a pan of
water, IN the evening. few inches from the
end OF a growing squash vine, the vine will
turn aside from Its direct course towards the
water. and be found in the morning, with
leaf floating on its surface
TIE roots of all trees, seem to be in the
lad been taken up. IL dfy adteT and gar
saw roots of an apple tree which III IGii' peIf'y1
trated to the depth of l3 feet. IN search of
water, which could not be found nearer the
surface.
The roots of plants in the same way, seem
to have al instructive power of seeking out
fertilizing substances If bones are buried at
a little distance from grape vine, the roots
Of the vine will find them every one, and
spread fine net work Of small fbrcss all
over them and if the bones be hollow, the
roots will frequently run through them and
after going short distance beyond
i. is said, will return and seek the same de
pository of the food best adapted TO lis growth
Climbing plants, run towards poles, or 9TH
or supports placed near them. and having
reached them. have strage witfulness as to
the direction in which they twine about them.
once proposed to learned professor a
question which l should be glad to hear salts
answered. Why is it that the com
mon hop always twines about the pole which
supports it, from East 10 West? OF tie fact
there II no dispute. Among million plants
no sinrle exception can be found NV friend
upol reflection said he thought II might be
we'll enough accounted for, BY the attraction
of the light of the sun. As the sun rises, the
plant is attracted towards and follows his
course towards the West, and so from day TO
dav continues on. | suggested 70 him that to
support this theory, il would be necessary that
the vine should grow fast enough to go round
once day, i. might turn back towards the
Ii yht.
However, accepting this as the true expla
nation, proposed TO him another question of
a similar nature and it was, WHY the tean al
WAYS swines about the pole in the opposite di-
rection? which is invariably tic case. Said
he 4 will not undertake 20 accoun. for it
II IS much easier 10 dispute the fact, and /
don't believe a word Of it,
Thus have | endeavored to illustrate in
familiar way the advantages of education, 10
the cultivator Of The earth, as giving him the
true dignity and general influence which be
longs 10 him who is lord # tire land-as aid
ing him in The profitable pursuit of his bust
ness, by affording him the light of sceace By
which 10 conduct his afairs-as elevating him
above the mere laborcr, SO that he may appre-
ciase in some degree, the mysterious process
es of nature bv which she brings from the
oold. dull earth. her treasures of grain, and
fruit and flowers.
To MEASURE GRAIN IN raE BCLK.-Find the
number Of cubic or solid feet in the crib or
bin. and if the corn is in the ear with the
husk on deduct IA Of the whole bulk for