Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-09-06
SCIENCE AND PRACTICE.


course of his peroration in praise of scien-
tifc study, suggested the great advantage of
analyzing all the different pears, and the
different soils under culture, so that they
might be minutely adjusted each to each.
Of course the worthy old gentleman never
did such a thing, and (being a shrewd man
never means to. Yet it seemed not very
bad thing-to say. The lesser pomologists
all wagged their heads approvingly, but
without any serious thought Of following the
advice; the embryo chemists fairly gushed
over in approval; and the only doubt ex-
pressed, was in the faces Of certain earnest,
honest, old farmers-who had already paid
twenty-five dollars for a soil analysis, to the
eminent Professor Mapes-and Of one or
two scientific adopts, who, thought, give a
twirl TO their tongues in the left cheek
rather evasively. In general, find that
the most modest opinions in regard to the
agricultural aids Of applied science, come
from men of the most distinguished scien-
tific attainment; and the exaggerated prom
Uses and suggestions flow from those who
are slightly indoctrinated, and who make
up by uproar of words. and aggregation of
pretentious claims, for the quiet confidence
and fairs GIFTED moderation of real science
Even SO we find General in command
looking from end to end of the field-modest
in his promises, doubtful by reason of his
knowledge; while some blatant Colonel,
puffy with regimental valor, and knowing
the positions only by the confused roar Of
artillery, will pompously threaten to bag
every man of the enemy.
But aside from the exaggeration alluded
to-and of which l should reckon SO minute
nil l.yciS 10 dato inn hot n
would most favor the development of pectose
in baking pear, and of poetic acid in a
Bartlett, fair sample-there are other
hindrances to the effective and profitable
collaboration of scientific men with the
practical farmer. The latter has wall
about him of self-confdence, ignorance Of
technicals, great common sense, and awk
ward prejudices which the scientific man,
with his precision, his fneness of observa-
ton, his remote analogies, and his impa-
thence of guess work, is not accustomed or
fitted to undermine. He may preach indeed
successfully all the old methods, but if the
old methodist does not detect, or recognize
the breach, what boots it? Science must
stoop to the work, and show him a corn crop
that is larger and groson more cheapEy than
his own; this is sending shot home.
Let me illustrate by little talk, which
think will have the twang of realism
about it.
A shrewd chemist, devoting himself to the
missionary work of building up farming by
the aid of his science, pays parochial
visit to one of the backsliders whom he
counts most needful of reformation. The
backslider-I will call him Nathan-is
breaking up field, and is applying the
manure in an unfermented and unctuous
state;-the very act Of SHINING, according
to the particular theory of our chemist,
perhaps, who urges that manures should
be applied only after thorough fermenta
tion.
approaches our ploughing farmer with
"Good morning"
"Mornin," returns Nathan (wbo never
wastes words in compliment.)
81 see you use your manure infer
mented'
"Waal, l d'n'know-guess it's about
right; smells poorly good, doan't ?"
Yes, but don't you lose something in the
smell?"
"Waal, d'n'know kinder hard to bottle
much of smell, amt it %
But why don't you compost it; pack up
your long manure with turf and muck, SO
that they will absorb the ammonia?''
"The what ?-(Gee, Brightly"
ammonia; precisely what makes the
guano act SO quickly"
Ammony, is it? Waal-guanner has a
poorly good smell, tew; my opinion is, that
manure ought to have a poorly strong smell,
or faint good for nuthin'"
Scientific gentleman a little on the hip;
but revives under the pungency of the ma
nure.
"But if youwere to incorporate your long
manure with turf and other material, you
would make the turf good manure, and put
all in better state for plant FOOD
Waal-(considering) I've made COM
pos afore oW;-dooz poorly well for garden
sass and such like. but it seems to me kinder
like putin water to half a glass o. spirits;
1t makes drink plaguey sight stronger'n
water, no doubt o'that; but after all's said
and dun-taint so strong as the rum (Haw,
Buck; why don't ye haw ~
Scientific gentleman wipes his spectacles,
but follows after the pillow.
$50 you think, neighbor, you're plough
ing this sod as deeply as it should be-"
"Waal-(Gee, Bright tits as folks
think; doan't like myself to turn up much
o the yaller; IT'S a kind o. cold sile.'
:. "Ies but if you exposed it to the air and
hight, wouldn't it change its character and
so add to the depth of your land %
Doant know but it might; bit ha'n't
much opinion O yaller dirt, whow; l
kinder like to put my corn and pototoes into
good black slle, if can get it."
- Iut color is mere accidental circum-
stance and has no relation to the quality of
the SOIL
(''Gee, Bright gee!")
.Ihere are great many mineral elements
OF food lying below, winch plants seek after;
DON'T you find your clover roots running
down into the yellow soil?"
"Waal, clover's kind of a tap rooted
thlng-natural for it to run down; but if it
runs down arter the yeller, what's the use
O. bringin' on it up?"
The scientific gentleman sees his chance
for dig.
But # you make !ae progress of the
roots easier by loosening the sub soil, or in
cooperating portion OF it with the upper
SOIL, you increase the facilities for growth.
and enlarge your crops"
Maal, that's kinder rash'nal; and eff
could md man that would undertake to do
. nI'ie OF the stirrin' of the yaller, without
pr,ngin much ont up, and bord himself,
"a furnish half the the team and let him 90
ahead"
but wouldn't the increased product pay
Tor all the additional labor?n
"Doan't b'lieve would nohow. between
you ana L. You sel, you gentlemen with
your pockets full o money scientific gentle
IL M coughs-slightly), talk about diggin'
;nere' ana turnin' up the yaller, and max
ing compo's, but all that takes thunderin'
sPs s, O. work. Gee, Bright!-g'lang,