Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-08

Value OTShe Natural Sciences Applied
60 Agriculture.

From the address Of Victor L. Piolett before the
Delaware county Agricultural Society,"
The want of knowledge of the science OF
natural history by the agricultural people Of
our country is the source Of annual loss far
beyond ordinary conception. Zoology is that
part of natural history which treats Of the
structure, habits, classification and habitation
of all animals. Our domestic animals were
found in a region of country where they sub
sisted upon the indigenous production Of the
ATTITUDES which the God of nature assigned
them in the creation of the world. They
were subssted and multiplied without the
care or hand Of man. The finest specimens
of the serviceable horse are still unattained
and remain beyond the reach of civilized
man. 1t is believed that man would not have
risen from barbarism to civilization without
the aid of the dumb brutes They were the
first conquest he ever made and contempt
raneous with that period we date civilization.
These domestic animals have been transplant
ed into every latitude, and are made subser-
Went to civilized man.
Veterinary pertains to the art Of healing or
treating the diseases OF domestic animals, as
oxen, horses, sheep, etc You will all bear
me witness that farmers are sadly deficient in
knowledge which enables them to contend
with the sickness and disease Of their ami
mails and as a consequence loss often &C.
ours.
Entomology is that part Of zoology which
treats of insects, some of which are friends,
but more are enemies of the farmer That
he ought to have sufficient knowledge to en-
able him to distinguish between an enemy
and friend, requires no argument to sub
stantiate. We suffer more or less from the
ravages of insects every year. Often the
profits Of years labor are destroyed for the
want of knowledge that every person should
possess who follows the profession of agricul-
ture.
Chemistry as it relates to agriculture is
science or an art of the highest importance to
every person engaged in farm industry. Its
elementary principles are within the compre-
hension of child twelve years old, and they
ought TO be the principal text books OF our
common schools
My friends think have proven to the
satisfaction of my audience, that scientific
knowledge relating TO agriculture will beget
that skilled labor required in all branches of
farming Beyond question, farmers suffer
annual loss for the want of skilled labor.
Were all men who conduct diversified farm
ing, (and that is the only method which
will enables cultivators to maintain the virgin
fertility of lands), educated even partially in
that part of natural history which relates to
tho animal kingom, annual profit might
supercede annual loss.
Chemistry and botany enable a knowledge
of the particular elements of fertility, which
the soil contains, and their adaptation to the
growth and maturity of the different kinds of
plants. A knowledge of zoology and veterin-
airy qualities farmers to treat their domestic
animals when threatened with disease of any
character, and will enable them to select the
most profitable animals to breed, rear and fat
ten for the shambles, of for profit in the
dairy