The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-08-21
Science in Farming.

1t is an encouraging fact that there is
less disposition among practical farm
ers to sheer at scient tic methods in ag-
ricuIture, than there has been in times
past, and apparent willingness among
them to accept the conclusions of sci
entIfc research in regard to agricultural
matters. As in various other spheres
of human thought and effort, an alb
surd idea has prevailed that the appli-
cation of scientific principles was in
some way inconsistent with common
sense methods, that the former were
the outcome of theorists and Missionaries,
destined to heap upon those who
adopted them the humiliation of fail
ure and the contempt of sober minded
men.
There may have been some cause for
this feeling, in the foolish experiments
and impracticable schemes of some who
essayed to teach the science of agricult-
ure; but to suppose that there is an
essential antagOniSm between scientific
truths and the principles of practical
agriculture is as absurd as to suppose
that thing can be opposed to itself.
True science relates to the causes of
things, to principles that are immut-
able, to truths that are always and
everywhere applicable. If the pro-
NCooNo VI hSbbNl z. bliC A4AAAAestAOlA sAAANt
growth of vegetation, the character of
soils, the distribution of plants, and in
Vulnerable other things that come under
the observation of the farmer, were the
result of chance, like the world of
Half DIS dream, then it might be allow
ed that a knowledge of science in the
abstract, beng, in the nature of things,
incapab' e of application, would only be
a veXatiOn and WEAKNESS of spirit.
But since all these things are known to
be controlled by fixed laws, seed-time
and harvest, and all the operations of
nature, climatic influences and changes,
beng in accordance with certain estab-
lished principles, it would seem to be
proper and ludicious thing to gain, as
far as possible, a knowledge OF these
laws and principles.
The word science is derived from a
Latin verb meaning simply to k7lOaO,
and therefore to say that a man has no
need of science in order to be a good
farmer is really to assert that he can
succeed Just as well if he is without
knowledge, or, in other words, if he is
an idiot. But we are willing to take
the word science in its common ac-
ceptation, as meaning the highest form
of knowledge on any given sub ect. 1t
can be shown that the highest form of
knowledge on the subject OF agncult-
ure has resulted in immence advant-
age to that industry. In fact, it is Ow-
ing to the inventions and improvements
suggested by scientific study that our
system of agriculture is so far superior
10 that of some of the older civilized
portions of the globe. We owe to it
the introduction of labor saving ma
chimes, many new and improved varie-
ties of plants and breeds of animals
and various methods of redeeming and
utilizing waste and barren lands.
As our civilization advances and the
popu alton of the country increases. di-
minishing the average per capita acre
age, it will become more and more inn
portant that the owners and tillers of
the soil shall know how to maintain its
fertility and increase its productive
power to meet the increasing demands
that will be made upon tn 7. OF
SerTeT,