The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-01
lev of Mississippi

4 g0gresS unreasonably slow.
tely important objects of q
| CO. Agricultural Survey, have,
there'Sy Several years past been chiefly
kept in view; since even these by themselves
present field for inquiry SO vast and varied
that it is difficult for one person to accomplish
the whole
Even superficial examination of the form
alton Of Mississippi suffices to convince the
scientific observer that it is chiefly to agricul-
ture and the arts Immediately connected with
1t, that she must look for her present and fl-
| ture greatness.
The development of her agricultural resour-
ees, therefore, is the main object to be attain
ed by the operations Of Geological and Ag-
ricultural Survey. These involve, of necessi-
! ty, a full examination and determination of
the geological strata from which the several
soils are derived; developing at the same time
all the materials contained in them which
may be useful for either agricultural or tech
| meal purposes; such as natural manures of all
kinds, useful clays, building stones, hydraulic
and common limestones, lignites coloring ma
| terials, etc. determining the character and
value of these materials, and the best modes
Of working them.
simultaneously with the field operations re-
quired for these purposes. the observation and
collection Of the various soils is performed
The mode and extent of their occurrences,
their natural vegetation, their depth, the diff
ferences of the soil, subsoil and under-subsoil
if necessary; their capacity for drainage-all
circumstances in short which in any manner
influence their capacity for cultivation, are no
ted. And particularly, all the experience
heretofore had in their cultivation, is ascer-
tanned by diligent inquiry from the inhabitants.
Subsequently, the specimens so collected
are subjected in the laboratory, to quantitative
analysis, or such herexperiments as may be
necessary to full understanding of these Pc
culiarities. With reference to the materials
first mentioned above, analysis alone, gener-
ally furnishes decisive results as to their use
fulness. With reference to soils also, analy
sis is perfectly conclusive concerning their Pc
culiarities and value; yet it is chiefly by a
comparison of its results with the field obser-
yations, and particularly with the results of
practical experience, as ascertained from the
farmers themselves, that these analyses gain
their great Importance. The experience of
agriculturists makes US acquainted with the
peculiar faults AID virtues of soil, which
could not in all cases be anticipated from an
alysis alone. knowing these facts the scen-
tiic investigator will know at once to which
points to direct his attention, and then analy-
sis will rarely fail to suggest the proper treat
ment or remedies 1t is the want of these
practical data, aud the inability, generally
speaking of agriculturists to interpret intelli-
gently chemical analysis, which renders ana
lyses made desultorily by chemists at dis
lance of comparatively little value
If proper knowledge of the nature of his
soil is necessary to the systematic farmer, that
of tn" crons he plants is no less so. Thus far,
few nalyses exist of those crops
Important to the South; for
Investigation Of these is