The Progress. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-20
!. KNOWLEDGE or SOILS.
How to Rescue Agriculture from Nero
8s Routine of Mechanical DrudgerY.

NtNOWlEDGE5#O SOtL0.
How to Rescue Agriculture from . Nero
Routine of Mechanical DrudgeTy.
All intelligent agric lturalists will
acknowledge that the first step in the
improvement Of the soil consists in
learning its composition, SO as to be
able to compare it with other soils re-
markable for their fertility or for the
production of peculiar crops. After
obtaining such information, it is evi-
dent that we may, by proper applica-
tions Of the required ingredients, bring
the soil to the standard Of any other
variety, the only question being
whether it can be done economically by
means of the resources within our
reach.
It will be seen that the changes
which are to be effected in the compo-
sition Of comparatively barren soils, in
order to render them fertile, are gem
orally attainable, and by skilled and
scientific methods we may always feel
sure Of a favorable result
It is too generally true that our ag-
riculturalists have experim ented blind
fold, and but little true scientific
knowledge results from such opera
tions. Hence we find the most con-
Trajectory accounts Of nearly every
mode Of improvement.
# we consult the experience OF
others, as recorded in books and agri-
cultural newspapers, the information
is by no means to be relied upon un-
less all the conditions of the problem
are fully stated; and, above all, it is
essential that we should know the
composition of the soil on which the
operations were performed, so as to
be able to institute a comparison with
that on which the experiments are to
be repeated.
In order to illustrate this remark,
let us suppose that one of our farmers
had read that adding copperas or
sulphate of iron was an Improvement
to the soil. It is subs lance that re-
acts continually on a calcareous soil,
liberating carbonic acid gas and form.
ing sulphate OF lime or gypsum, both
of which serve to render vegetation
luxuriant, the carbonic acid gas being
absorbed by the foliage, while the
gypsum stimulates the plant to its
rapid absorption and assimilation.
The fact being published without
any chemical explanation, and the re.
sulting crop being stated, it is perfect
~ natural to suppose that an enter
prising farmer would be disposed to
try such a promising experiment on
his soil if he could obtain the sub
stance mentioned.
Now, it is absolutely certain that the
very substance that will confer fertili-
ty on calcareous soils would render any
New England soil utterly barren, so as
to be irreclaimable without chemical
skill and large expenditure
Sulphuric acid and copperas are
used in England for the purpose OF
decomposing fiber in composts, and
such a compost is found to be very
proper for calcareous soils; but it
would actually destroy every vestige
OF vegetation on our silicious soils.
We are in constant danger from such
errors unless we know the compo-
sitions of the soils where the expert.
ments were made, and also the nature
of the soil where it is to be repeated.
Such knowledge is not only useful by
teaching us how to avoid erroneous
practices; but is also a sure G uide to ag.
ricultural improvements, and must be
made the basis of the art
Empiricism ought not to be the only
means of improvement with an intelli-
gent farmer.
Mere experience without scientific
light is at best uncertain, and we con.
slider the union Of theory and practice
as the grand desideratum in the art
Every American farmer who prides
himself on his freedom and intelligence
should exert himself to rescue agricult-
ure from a mere routine of mechan.
ical drudgery, and should endeavor to
INSTRUCT his children in the scientific
principles of the art.
Besides increasing the agricultural
produce Of the country, such means
will surely aid in the advancement OF
civilization, and will afford constant
source of rational enjoyment to the in
telligent, educated farmer. Boston
Globe.
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