The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-10-13
HILLsDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, OCT I3. 1857

4 bOtne WASothiSb iHoist euOuiu oe pIuctiCcu
universally--even TO ploughing all soils 10
the depth of severfi teet.
Ot.lor ultraisms have originated in high.
er sourcese, if they do not come with
more authority. But it is an adage, that
great men are not always wise. Carried
away by some happy discovery or favorito
idea, they sometimes attempt 20 generalize
from two narrow premises, and draw un-
warrantable deductions, from insulated facts.
Chemists, for instance. have seen some
kinds of vegetation produced by soils which,
according ty analsis, were destitute cf or
ganic matter in the soil is unnecessary for
all plants--that they have the power of
obtaining their carbonic acid and ammonia
from the atmosphere, and hence it 10 un-
necessary TO search for them in the manu-
res we use--in other words, that simply
rs manures, these substances are worthless.
But practical observation teaches that diff
| ferent plants are enduced with different
powers. The white birch and the whito
and pitch pine can grow and perfect them
selves on the most barren sand or gravel,
-"l'ie ~ihar irnns and more particular the
| species Of plants which contribute most di.
rectly to the sustenance Of man, have no
such power--they cannot flourish in such
situations.
1t should be borne in mind that there arc
| principles in animal and Vegetable physio.
logy which cannot he explained by chemi-
cal analysis. If this were to be taken as
our only guide, we might, perhaps. infer
that "all flesh is grass" in a sense more lite
raj than is CONSTANT with truth. Cheni-
cal analysis shows little or no difference in
the flesh of man and the flesh of the OK.
Yet man cannot live on grass, though he
thrives on the flesh of the OK which was
derived from grass.
Under the sanction of ligh names, theo-
ries have been promulgated in regard TO
the organization of domestic animals
which are calculated to do injury rather
than good. 1t has been held that small
lungs are desirable in animals designed
for fattening. Without going into details
to combat this idea, it may be sufficient TO
say that practical observation supports the
position OF DR.. Cline, that, "on the size and
soundness OF the lungs, the health of an
animal principally depends. The power of
converting food into nou,ishment is in pro-
portion to their size. An animal with largo
lungs, is capable Of converting a given
quantity Of food into more nourishment
than one with smaller lungs and therefore
as greater aptitude to fatten."
Another example of erroneous teaching
in connection with this subject, may be
mentioned. A lecturer or agriculture in n
public institution, stated as a reason why
certain breeds Of cattle were better for beef
than Others, was that they had much
larger proportion Of what is called round,
and that this was the most valuable part of
the carcass. Now at the very time this
statement was made, the price of the round
in our eastern markets was one-Mird less
per pound the cerloins and rumps. Be-
quarter which was recommenidted In order
that there might be greater quantity of
this round meat, is indicative of an unpro-
fitable animal-onc having course flesh
throughout the carcass, with the fat, If any
is formed, of n soft, oily nature. Judiciary
breeders avoid such animals.
The iupositions Of mercenary and un-
scrupulous men, may be reckoncd among
other hindrances to improvement in agri
culture. These are "too numerous to men
tion." The farmers manifest desire to
enrich their farms, and they are Mt once
beset with the offer OF various substances
for which high pretensions are set up, but
which are manufactured mainly with refer
ence to the profit Of the vender. The
"Chilian Guano" is only type of these.
The farmer is induced to believe that chem
istry may teach him something useful in
regard TO the management Of his farm
"Consulting agriculiursts" offer their servi-
ces in makcing five-dollas analyses Of soils,
and in giving ''letters of advice" at TWEEN
ty-fve dollars each. The potato crop is
assailcd by rot, and the farmers anxious to
obtain some remedy against this destruct-
i've malady, soon the country swarms with
publications on tho subject, which can be
had for money; advertisements appear, sta
ting that on the receipt of certain sum
from any individual, tho advertiser will
communicate n sure remedy; the seed of
new kinds, in which the rotting disposition
is represented to have been bread out, is
offered at five dollars an ounce. Curiosity
II 'Acltcu Iu fepHfu 10 the ClihTdcteTesllC OI
different kinds Of poultry, and forthwith
there is issued food of books made cx-
prcssly to sell, but which arc only worth
preserving as evidence of the foolishness
and bascness Of the authors. Thus arc
the good intentions of the people Of the
''rural districts" taken advantage of.
The ultraisms, erroneous theories and
imposit.ons alluded to, are hindrances TO
improvement in various ways. In some
instances they propagate error, and in 9th
ors they create DISCUS. Persons who find
they have been led astray, are apt to have
their caution aroused, and under the sense
of injury they may have suffered, and in
lined to exercise an undue opposition to
innovasion. The prejudces Of many hon
est and naturally sagacious minds, are excl
ted by witnessing attempts TO introduce
things which common sense teaches no val
ue. Thus barrier is raised to inyestigs.
tion and improvement.
Among the means already alluded to, of
remeding tho various defects Of agricul
ture, may be mentioned Agricultural Soeie-
ties, Agricultural Schools and Experimer-
tai Farms.
We have numerous agricultural societies