No. 105.] 209 



thorough examination, will clearly show that we have no reasons for 

 drawing such a conclusion ; that the other sciences, have as yet, 

 accomplished directly, but little for agriculture ; and that years of 

 slow and patient experiment must yet determine many points, which 

 are already by many persons taken for granted. The same precision 

 with which conclusions have been arrived at in other arts, is entirely 

 out of the question here. A great deal of uncertainty must, for a 

 long time yet to come, attend the application of other sciencies to 

 the art of cultivation. The investigation of questions strictly chemi- 

 cal, is far easier than to determine the intricate and combined rela- 

 tions existing between chemistry and vegetable physiology. In the 

 first place, the analysis of soils is one of the most difficult of all 

 kinds of earthy analysis. In the next, vegetable chemistry is in- 

 volved in a great deal more uncertainty than other departments of the 

 science. Thirdly, the changes which are constantly taking place in 

 ( growth of plants, variously influenced as they are by the atmos- 

 phere, by drought or moisture, by the nature of the soil and the 

 many different materials of which it consists, some fitted for assimi- 

 lation, and others not, — are from these causes, and the time required 

 to effect them, and the minute quantities of matter controlling them, 

 often entirely beyond the closest observations, and can be determined 

 but very imperfectly by an examination of the final results. 



Now, the object of these remarks, is not to denounce nor dis- 

 courage the application of science to agriculture ; but, directly the 

 reverse, to prevent a total rejection from the disappointment and 

 disgust, which must follow the practice of holding up false hopes. 

 If an enterprise is attended with peculiar difficulties, that enterprise 

 is not forwarded by representing it as easy of accomplishment, by 

 concealing its difficulties, and overstating its advantages. Those 

 who are falsely allured at the outset, will, from the disappointment 

 resulting, be led to refuse even the benefits which might be secured. 

 Hence, one of the greatest injuries to science, is to invest it with 

 false colors. On the other hand, the highest benefit is to strip it of 

 its artificial dress, and exhibit its true character, that proper caution 

 may be used, and success instead of chagrin be the consequence. 



A brief glance at the different ways in which science is expected 

 to benefit agriculture, may serve to show in what direction the great- 

 sest assistance will be afforded. 



[Senate^ No. 105.] 14 



