210 . [Senate 



In the first place, a more certain result is to be looked for in no 

 quarter, than in the application of the principles of mechanical phi- 

 losophy to the construction of farm implements and machines. A 

 great and decided benefit has already followed from this cause ; and 

 no doubt machines might be much improved, simplified, and render- 

 ed lighter, and at the same time stronger, by a strict observance of 

 the nature of forces, of the mechanical powers and elements of 

 machinery, to determine precisely where strength is indispensible,, 

 and where also it is not needed ; and in changing and adapting the 

 moving power in the best possible manner to effect the intended pur- 

 pose. It is highly essential, that every thing of the kind in constant 

 employ, and requiring for its use, perhaps thousand of repeated mo- 

 tions of the hand in a single day, should not be encumbered with a 

 needless pound in w^eight. The laborer who uses the hand-hoe^ 

 usually makes with it no less than two thousand strokes in an hour^ 

 or twenty thousand in a day of ten hours. If in any part, where 

 strength is not needed, it is made unnecessarily heavy, even to the 

 amount of half a pound, then the aggregate force uselessly expend- 

 ed, w^ould amount to no less than ten thousand pounds, or five tons,, 

 in a single day. In larger machines, worked by horses, including 

 wagons and carts, as well as thrashing machines,, and even plows and 

 harrows, there is no doubt in nearly all cases a waste of power. A 

 strict regard to mechanical principles, and their mathematical appli- 

 cation, throughout the numerous implements, tools, and machines,, 

 constantly in use by every farmer, would be of the highest benefit. 

 An entire volume might be written on this subject alone. It is true 

 that the manufacturer of these, is the person directly concerned y but 

 farmers too are deeply interested in the improvement. 



Those sciences, however, which are regarded as more particularly 

 and directly applicable to agriculture, are vegetable physiology and 

 chemistry, and geology. The intimate connexion between vegetable 

 physiology and vegetable chemistry, and between geology and the- 

 chemistry of the soils, render them all in a manner inseparable, and 

 they will be mostly considered together. 



The relations of vegetable physiology to the practice of horticul- 

 ture, are vastly more important than to agriculture. The far greater 

 number of species which come under the cognizance of the horticul- 

 turist, and the variety of treatment they need, render it very neees- 



