The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-07


SOIL. ANALYsEs.-One duty often assigned to
the agricultural chemist by those who know little
either of chemistry agriculture is to analyze
the SOIL as if the chemical analysis of the soil
would determine every question of its agricul-
tural capabilities the kind, amount, and quality
of the crops it would raise. In the early history
of the science analysis of certain barren soils re-
vealed the cause of the barrenness in the sui
phate of iron present. When this was removed
or decomposed by lime, the soil was fruitful. 4
few instances of this kind gave great hopes of
benefit from soil analysis. But such instances of
barrenness from purely chemical causes are rare
and exceptional : : But it is often found
that the most careful chemical analysis will not
distinguish between fertile and barren soil
One reason is that the barrenness may be due to
physical causes e. g., want of drainage. Chemical
analysis can only determine the chemical condi-
tons Of the SOIL and will not always reveal phys
icaI evils Agricultural chemists now regard
the analysis of the soil as of only secondary i'm
pOrtance.
One duty of the chemist is to explain the facts
which are already known in agriculture By
knowing the reason why we do thing we may
discover better ways of doing it, or that some
other and easier process may accomplish the
same result. We thus sft our processes and
eliminate needless elements or introduce better
ones
But there is another benefit Of knowing the
reason of our actions. When the mind compre-
hends and watches the wonderful chemical pro-
cesses which are always going on in earth, in air.
and in the growing crop, the body forgets half
the WEAKNESS of toll Nothing is so wearisome
as work without thought. 1t is mere drudgery
and every man, and especially every boy hates it.
Let the boy know that in handling the hoe hold
ing the pillow, in narrowing and cultivating, he is
providing the conditions of wonderful chemical
changes. Let him understand these changes the
chemistry of plant-growth, of ripening Of grains
and fruits, why the bitter and austere apple of
July becomes the golden pippin Of September
Let such thoughts fill his brain, and the WEAKNESS
of the body is forgotten. Glorifed and loving
nature walks by his side in the fields of toll, un-
folding her wonderful mysteries, and loneliness
and discomfort have fed.
FARMERS SHOULD ORGANIZE-A mutual in
terchange of ideas, an intelligent cooperative
action on the part of those whose interests are
identical is much needed. Farmers must move
with the age-keep up with the other professions
not years behind. Individual effort can accom-
plish but little. Organization is what moves
the world. Combinations of capitalists 20 be-
fore legislatures and get all they ask or prevent
what they do not desire. Were we farmers ever
known to organize and ask the legislature for
special privileges or to prevent the enactment
of class laws against our interests? Farmers
should not be legal food for other organizations
to feed upon, without preparing to devour in
return for selfprotection. They can at least be
just to others, and at the same time generous to
themselves, if they will but combine and work
together for their interests as other classes do.
The more intelligence the more successful and
better will the organization be- Agricultural
papers are doing much to stimulate and build up
the industrial interests of the State and they
should be encouraged and sustained; but "a face
to-tace talk" will do more good in an hour to
educate and impress upon the mind facts and
principles than all the articles read in paper
during the year. Hence, farmers should organ
iZe, give their experience to each other read
talk, counsel, advise, become more intelligent,
and be better prepared to govern and direct the
! affairs of State and Nation.