Year: 1870

1t is plain that this contains everything that is
needed TO make a fertile soil And where tired as it
is in the banked marshes on the Delaware it pro-
duces the largest crops and at the least cost of any
land in the State This subject Is Inexhaustble but
our time is not and must close. In prosecuting the
work of this survey, it has seemed to me that its
useful ends should be first developed. 1t is in this
way that it commands the cordial support OF the
people, and nsures their interest IN IT. Its results in
a scientific view are in the highest degree important
and hope to see them well developed.


In the continuation OF our work, we are stii aim
ing 10 develop our The report Of last year
copies of which will have the pleasure of sending
here at an early daywill give some idea OF the OBJ
jects to which it has been directed


n. e.. Ely-lt Is scarcely necessary iOr me 10 say
that we have all been delighted and made wiser by
the discourse with which Prof. Cook has so
kindly favored u.s. and regret that it cannot all be
reproduced and promulgated In the reports OF our
pTOceedings and thereby ad In advancing the cause
of good husbaDdry j am sure speak the sentiment
of the entire audience when give expression 10 the
hope that shall have the pleasure OF hearing iur-
ther from Prof. Cook and that Soon .,


Mr. Tillman-I have been very much interested
and instructed The Professor has condensed for us
81 vast amount of scientific information into the space
of an hours discouTse but the subject ought 10 be
developed more than is possible IN n single lecture
and trust the Professor VIII respond 10 Lie desIe
which all of us have that this be done. In conclu-
sion. Mr.. Chairman, now move u vote Oh thanks 10


Mr. Whitney-I would express with the Chair and
with Prof Tillman, the appreciation 1elt by every
person in this room in listening to Prof Cook lhere
is nothing that shows the rapid progress OF agrcul-





truths such as have been set forth tins afternoon.
Farming is continually asking for greater helps from
other arts and sciences. Time was when the farmer
was content TO break the ground with wooden
plow 10 harrow in the seed with brush or rough
drag, TO cut the grain with sickle, and thresh 1T
with "A fail. Now, by the employment OF machinery
for all these purposes, find mechanical engineer
ing the servant of agriculture. Only generation
since the husbandman neither knew nor cared
TO know the composition Of his soil or the
requirements of the plants that grew upon
i'm fhis daV discoveries chemistry
have become the basis of successful tillage.
Yet farmers are longer satisfied Win tnis'
They seek TO go further and learn the origin of the
lands they till Of the commercial fertilizers they
use, the nature of the great changes in the eaItls
surface that has formed the fields from whence Their
haryests come. They would look back. guided by
the light of scientific research, To the rocks rs they
cooled when the world was young, and watch their
gradual disintegratiOn and decay, tho slow ana
sOftennR action Of the elements npon them, thclr
transport to their present rcstngpiace by seas hat
subsidized in remote ages. and their gradual disinte-
grafton solution into tillable and productive soils
Farmers are no longer satisfied to simply know That
mari is good for potatoes, but wish MS wei to learn
OF rs Origin in tho organic life Of period long past
IL follows from this that lectures like that OF Irol
Cook becnmno an i"'nOltaut part OF 0ui hgf'en'