190 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HOETICULTUEAL 



instance where a neighbor, believing implicitly in the doctrine that 

 there is no good without great labor, and also that the greater the 

 labor the greater the good, treated a piece of fall plowing to an addi- 

 tional deep plowing early the following spring. 



The result was a disappointment, the crop being in no way bet- 

 ter than that on another part of the same field, which received only 

 a spring plowing. There is certainly great advantage in being able 

 to place seeds in the warm surface-soil, such as we have in the case 

 of fall plowing, instead of turning this valuable condition of soil 

 far below the surface. Many farmers advocate shallow spring plow- 

 ing, and their theory often receives striking verification. I recall 

 the case of a strip of some few rods in width being left without 

 plowing, and the field planted in corn. Spring rains had not beaten 

 the ground, so that it seemed remarkably loose after the winter's 

 freezing — an admirable time to try the experiment. The corn on 

 this strip came up quicker, grew more vigorously, aud maintained a 

 decided advance over the rest of the field for half the summer. It 

 would certainly be an advantage if our spring plowing could be done 

 by deeply stirring without turning, and so burying out of reach the 

 very part that is in exactly the right condition for germination and 

 growth of seeds. 



But enough has been said to show you something of the im- 

 portance of the subject, and in so far as the theory explains or corre- 

 sponds with your own experience you certainly will be safe in 

 adopting and acting upon this new theory, so far as it has been de- 

 veloped. In this latter case, by all means make note of your work 

 and report it to some such body as this, that the doctrine may be 

 established, if good, or what is no less important, be thrown over- 

 board, if bad. 



Meanwhile it is hoped that further laboratory experiments will 

 materially add to our knowledge of the subject. 



Dr. Humphrey — I am glad that the Professor has given us the 

 other side of this question. I have been a little faithless about this 

 new theory, that all diseases that affected either animal or vegetable 

 life were caused by bacteria. It is a relief to know that they are 

 essential to life, as well as the cause of death. It has been thought 

 that diphtheria is caused by these organisms, but I think they are 

 there because they find something to feed upon, and are the result, 

 rather than the cause of the disease. 



Dr. Hall — The paper conflicts with the views of many scientific 



men, on several points. Bacteria, doubtless, have their use in the 



• economy of nature, but those that are found floating about the 



stable, are probably the cause of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and other 



diseases of this nature. Ex-Commissioner of Agriculture Capron, 



