Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-20
ADDRESS OF PROFESSOR COLLIER,
Secretary OF the Board OF Agriculture, &C.,
before the Legislature OF Vermont.
lConelnied from last ,eeek J

(Conclnaed from last tceek.)
About seventeen years ago new disease
made its appearance in the silk fields Of
France, and so sudden and rapid was its
appearance and progress, that in the short
space of twelve years it had diminished the
production by six-sevenths, it had entaied
an annual loss of 100,000,000 OF francs, it
had thrown thousands out Of employ, it had
brought ruin upon scores Of manufacturers,
and threatened the complete destruction of
the silk industry Of the most prosperous and
the most extensive district devoted to this
culture in the world. At this time after
many and repeated and uniform failures to
check its ravages, and when it was said that
the pharmacop@ia of the silk worm had be-
come more extensive than that Of the human
subject, when the people stood paralyzed at
the extent of this widespread desolation, Du.
mas, the Secretary Of the French academy,
requested his pupil, colegian and friend, the
distinguished Pasteur, to undertake the task
of staying the ravages of this irightful dis
ease. In vain did Pasteur urge what would
doubtless appear to us, gentlemen, sufficient
excuse, that he had never even seen silk
worm, aud how then could he hope for sue
cess where failure had been so uniform, but
Dumas even turned this into an argument to
persuade him to accept, and besought him to
try, that thus relief might come to his unhap-
py country, and at the last he did undertake
the task, and with such entire success that
within two years the cause of the disease not
only, obscure and peculiar as it was, was
thoroughly discovered, but complete reme-
dy was proposed which has resulted most
satisfactorily.
have already alluded to the practical
Importance attending to the settlement OF
that question as to plant food. But who,
to-day, can give us any accurate information
as to the roots Of our common grains and
grasses, their relative lengths and amounts,
for through these very roots is taken all the
supplies of food which the earth can furnish
upon differences in their structure depends
the ability of the plant to seek out and as
simulate its food, and upon these same differ
ences of structure and function, together with
those Of stem and leaf rests the whole prin'
ciple of rotation Of crops, and perhaps
nothing in agricultural practice is more gen
eral, and when judiciously employed, more
beneficial than the rotation Of crops WhC
then shall add to our knowledge Of roots
Does any one imagine for an instant that al
the departments of knowledge are exhausted
that there are no broad fields unexplored, NJ
sublime heights unscaled Beneath ou
very feet are pearls of knowledge, whicl
hereafter some more careful observe. shall
by picking up, secure to himself immOrta
honor and to the race blessing. To eacl
! one of us in whatever station we are placed
however humble, there comes sometimes il
! life grand thoughts, glorious aspirations
! which if pursued will lead to higher level
than those trod by Helper OF by Newton.
To the eye of the educated observer a
the phenomena of nature are full Of unsolve
/ problems, each inviting his attention. I
] such an one the delicate clouds, the beautifu
, sky, the gently blowing breeze, the delicat
grasses and curiOusly carved leaves an
: boes are full of interest. His gaze is Al
, rested by the tiny balloon Of the thistle, o
, the cunuingly devised parachute of the dan
J delion, and from each he learns some ne'
truth which shall minister TO his authentica
) tiOn, or assist him in the practical affairs
+ life