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VI. — On Faults in Farming, By John Just, Esq. 



Read May 9, 1848. 



The agriculturist stands in a somewhat similar condition, as 

 regards the growth of plants, to that which a contractor for 

 a building does, towards supplying that building with the 

 necessary material. The plans, the construction, the dis- 

 position of the parts, the dimensions of the whole, &c., 

 appertain to the architect. Yet unless the contractor fully 

 carries out his engagement, unless he brings to the building 

 a full complement of material, the judicious combinations 

 and skilful adaptations of the several parts cannot be carried 

 into effect, and the labour of the mason is of no avail. So, 

 unless the agriculturist brings to the plants he cultivates, a 

 full complement of what such plants require, to enable them 

 to carry out to the full their capabilities of extension and 

 complete development of all their parts, then are his toil 

 and labour in cultivation to a great extent useless; and what 

 might be a subject of calculation, and almost of certainty 

 (saving the contingencies arising from seasons), is left to 

 risk, and to those natural resources only, which, having long 

 been drawn upon, and in a great measure exhausted, range 

 within narrow limits, and therefore frequently render cul- 

 tivation unprofitable. 



We need not ask a farmer why he cultivates the soil. He 

 does so undoubtedly for a profitable return in produce. All 

 his tillage and application of manure are intended for this 

 purpose. Yet he seldom knows what the complete demands 

 of a growing plant are, so as to render its produce profitable 



