The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-09-25
AGR1CULTURE AZ a SCIENCE.


Agriculture is not looked upon as a
science as much as il should be. 1t is
much more of a science than medicine,
although not considered so by most OF
our wise SdUdnS. The doctor gives n
dose of medicine but how it acts, and
why it acts are about as deep mys-
teries to him ms how blade of grass
grows, why calomel is tasteless sub
stance and quinine bite. although
both are of the same color, are rs in
comprehensive as if two seeds just
alike in size and color are placed into
the soil to bring forth two different
kinds of plants, with dissmilar fruit
and flowers. The American Cultiva-
tor says:
Agriculture is called both science
and an art. The former teaches why
it is necessary to pillow, the latter
teaches the process of plowing. The
art of agriculture has reference to the
planting, cultivating and care Of
crops the science of agriculture
teaches of what they are composed,
and how crops and plants are built up
from the forces of the soil and the
atmosphere. The effect of the art is
to wear out the soil by constant crop
ping. The aid of science is employed
to restore exhausted fields and to give
knowledge Of the means to accom-
plish it.
Science is paramount to the practi-
cal part, as when we know what the
soil requires it is very easy to make the
diagnosis of disease before he gives
medicine to his patient. So if we find
out what a soil requires to produce SO
many bushels of corn or wheat to the
acre, it is very easy to apply the
manure.
There are 26 pounds of phosphoric
acid in % bushels Of wheat, if the soil
cannot furnish % pounds, the soil can
not yield the amount of wheat If
the soil don't yield the essential in
gradients, it must he made by the
application of the necessary fertilizers
BY proper analysis of the soil it
can be found out what fertillzing
properties are in the soil; what to
apply and how to apply; which we
call the science of agriculture. George
Washington said "agriculture is the .
most healthiul most useful, and most |
noble employment of man" 1t be- |
comes most ennobling when it is re-
duced to Il science. When, by Il |
superior knowledge Of the properties |
of the sol deduced from agricultural |
and analytical chemistry; W. know
definitely what the soil requires and |
how to make the application.
Plant growth then becomes Il Won
derful phenomena and beautiful |
study, and We are able to explore the |
arcane of nature, and find out mys-
teres which are Wonderful and en-
noblng.
AS education is being developed .
among the masses the science of agri-
culture grows TO be Of greater impor-
tance. The establishment of agricul-
turaI colleges will diftuse it among the
people and the time will come when
agriculture will be looked on as a
science, just as much as law, medi-
cine or anything else.
The growth of population, the in
creased demand for food supplies, all
require that the full capacities Of the
soil must be developed in order to
feed our tecming millions.
When this shall have been achieved,
then agriculture will become more en-
more grand and more beauti-
full and wilInot be placed among those
pursuits where unfortunate
~ it is too often placed now.