The Portland daily press., 1877-01-15
THE PRESS.
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Scientific Reading.

Scientific Reading.
We can very well imagine that if a hard
working farmer on entering his field with his
men some summers day should encounter
one or two gentlemen under the shade Of
tree busy in examining ''picture books,'' or
occasionally sallying forth with nets to cap
ture some vagrant butterfly, he would in
strong terms set forth the worthlessness of
such mems lives, as well as the absur-
dity and injustice of being compelled to labor
for their support. But appearances are not
always to be relied on, and hasty conclusions
based upon erroneous premises, generally
lead astray. ALI work is not flashed when
when the furrow is turned, nor is that the
highest kind Of labor, for the lowest order of
animals perform it to the best advantage.
Perhaps strict comparison of values and a
close estimate of the quality of the work
done would show that without the minute
investigations of the man of science, the hus-
bandman would labor in vain, and spend his
strength for bought.
1t is not our object however to enter into a
comparison of the relative Importance of the
different classes of laborers 10 the depart
ment of agriculture, but rather to maintain
that the results of scientific effort in this
field cannot be profitably ignored; and that
intelligent agriculturists should avail them
selves of all the aid which can be derived
from works Of science,
Rightly considered, it must be regarded as
the height of absurdity, for a man to stand
upon the soil and dig in it for lifetime, and
yet be in profound ignorance of its compost
ton to be spectator day after day of the
termination of seeds, and of plant growth,
and yet ignorant of their inner lives and #
their distinctive peculiarities-to be familiar
with the busy tenants Of earth, air, and
water, and yet unable to decide whether they
are to be counted as friends, or foes.
Although we may be willing to admit that
farmers as body are intelligent, and well
informed on ordinary matters; we must new
ertheless confess, that in agriculture they
pursue the art, almost to the exclusion of the
science; and if they devote any time to read
ing in this department, it is rather with a
preference for the agricultural gossip of the
average journal, than for the substantial
statements of the scientific observer. We
consider gossip in agriculture, to be of 10
more value than in everyday life, and there
fore not to be encouraged; we think that the
discriminating student should seek only for
facts, and listen to no speculations that are
not based on the solid foundation which they
alone can give.
While the broad domain of natural science
affords ample room for every inquirer and
even every nook and corner may be profita-
bly, explored; the pressure of present and
impending dangers may justify the farmer in
devoting his winter leisure to the special
study of Entomology. So far as relates to
freedom from insect pests, the "good old
times" have passed away; every refinement
and improvement in invention, the introduc-
ton of new crop or fertilizer, and in fact,
every forward step in husbandry seems to be
accompanied by the advent of some new
enemy to earth and man. We have seen en-
tire districts in our own State devoted to
wheat raising, laid waste for term Of years
by the weevi, and the orchard of the same
localities have been stripped and ruined by
the caterpillar during the past year, while in
the distant West the grasshopper is severel
scourge than even and the potato beetle is
moving forward to the East and North. II
states are compelled to meet in convention
and to invoke the aid of the national arm in
staying the ravages of these insect enemies,
it would seem to be the part of wisdom fol
every cultivator Of the soil to take some pre-
cautionary measures for protection. We can
advise nothing more effectual than to study
the characteristics and habits of these dreaded
pests, and to learn the best methods for their
determination. By sending a card to the
Orange Judd Co., of New York, the most
prominent publishers of agricultural works,
catalogue of standard treatises on this TOPIC
will be obtained from which selection can
be made corresponding to the means of the
applicant