Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-10-19
NUMBER XLVIII.

culties and pointing out to him the direction
for future improvements. But, as on the one
hand it would be well that farmers should more
generally aim at acquiring for themselves some
insight into scientific truths so on the other it
Is greatly to be desired that the number of
chemists and other scientific laborers devotiBg
their attention to agriculture, should be in
creased. ffl
For reasons to which | have alluded, the So
luton of agricultural questions demands the
! combined efforts of a very large number of per-
sons both in the field and in the laboratory
the amount of work required is beyond the
powers OF any one or any few of those devo-
! ting themselves to such research. oa.e
In Europe, especially IN Germany and
France, government means are literally applied
to the maintenance Of laboratories for agricul-
tural research, and a large number of thorough
iy trained chemists are constantly at work.
As an evidence that here at home We are not
altogether without movement in the same direc-
tion, 1t gives me much pleasure to be permitted
to mention one step lately resolved upon by the
Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia.
In arranging for the extension of instruction
rendered possible by the gift of the late Mr..
Samuel Miller, of Lynchburg, for the support of
department OF agricultural science, it has been
decided to establish two scholarships, each of
i've hundred dollars year and tenable for two
years, one to be competed for annually at a
special examination of candidates voluntarily
presenting themselves, such candidates to have
previously completed the regular course of iD-
stractlOn In the school of agricultural and in
dustrial chemstry-those who are successful to
engage in further study and IN the prosecution
OF useful scientific research under the direction
OF the Professor of this school for the period
OF the scholarship. These are the main features
OF the plan, though the details may be modified.
n 10 hot bo
may become the means of supplying to the State
number OF thoroughly y-'rained, practical chem
lists, who, during the proposed period of adyanc-
ed study, will have had an adequate and assur-
ed support, as well as great advantages for the
prosecution of their labors, and will have ac-
complished much useful public work in theshape
OF analyses and Investigations of matters con.
nected with agriculture Lastly, | would sug-
gest that just such societies as that have the
honor of addressing, and just such occasions as
the present might be made additionally useful
by the proposal of.disFict agricultural questions
for thoro examination by the combined efforts
OF farmers and scientific men-not too many
questions being taken up at one time, but these
to be, If possible, worked out to definite con-
clusions
Thus at each annual meeting Joint committee
might be raised, consisting partly of practical
farmers and partly ofagricultural chemists, such
committee to carefully prepare for the meeting
of the Following year report in which should
be set forth one or two questions clearly stated,
and OF practical interest and importance-such
as, for example-what proportion ought the am
mOnlacal cOmponents peruvian guano, &c) in
mixed fertilizer to bear to the phosphates for
the culture OF wheat on the more important soils
of the Valley of Virginia? is there any advan-
tage in using potash IN the form of suiphate rath-
er than muIiate upon tobacco, or the reversed
up to what limit as to quantity may plaster be
used upon clover land with profit and so forth.
EaOh an Oh h.
ed with Il statement of the method proposed for
examining t-a programme to be carried out b.
all those willing TO assist In the experiment-giv
ing the exact mode of experimenting in detail
and the heads under which returns of the facts
obtained wanted. Here are some printed
programmes of this kind, referring to expert
ments on tobacco manures which gentle
men have been kind enough to undertake for me
during the present overwhelmingly most
unfavorable one for the purpose, owing to tho
drought-these may serve to illustrate such forms
might be used. ..
Then there should be an understanding as to
the names and addresses Of those farmers who
are willing to promise their active cooperation
In carrying out the fe!d-work of such expert
mentS as might be determined On, and in like
manner of those chemists who agree to make any
anays Sis necessary to fully work out the question
questions Such services ought to be- and
doubtless would be, rendered freely and without
cost, but in cases involving expense for materl-
ais, Fertilizers, seeds, &c, some assistance i'll
meeting such expenses would seem to be no un-
suitable or useless mode of employing the funds
of the society.
Finally. report to the society at a subsequent
meeting upon any question thus carefully exam
lned giving the conclusions arrived at and the
experimental facts upon which these conclusions
had been based would reflect credit upon the in
telligent activity of the Society, and would con-
stitute real addition to our stores of knowledge
in relation to scientific agriculture.
Whether in this way or in the many other di-
rections of effort which present themselves. let
hat tI.,i
ties like that to-day assembled may constantly
increase-that their growing energy may ever
tend to throw fresh light upon the interesting
scientific questions which connect themselves
with farming may serve more and more to inn
prove the practice of that oldest and noblest of
the arts may exert marked influence for good
upon the material prosperity of the country, and
may continue year after year to bring together on
these genial anniversaries large and larger gath
erings of men from this side and from beyond the
mountains united by the ties of common Occu-
patton, common interests, and hearts bound up
together in common regard for the future destiny
of this grand old State.