415 



trifling cost of a few shillings, will give many useful experiments and 

 hints on farming. 



Our climate and new soil, and local condition, require a peculiar ap- 

 plication of well established principles. What may answer the purpose 

 well in England or Germany, may be entirely unadapted to our situa- 

 tion. Wo must have a system of our own, and not attempt to follow 

 examples which have not been thoroughly tested in our own locality ; 

 for nothing in this matter may be taken on trust. But when a discove- 

 ry is made, accompanied by a written statement of the process of cul- 

 ture, it is unwise not to give it a fair test. Nor should a system be 

 condemned until we have conformed to all the particulars which were 

 practiced by the operator in making the discovery. 



I have heard many farmers speak contemptuously of "Book Farm- 

 ing." If it be meant by " Book Farming" that the farmer shall blindly 

 follow the directions given in agricultural works, independent of his own 

 judgment and the nature of the soil upon which he operates, then I 

 would say, abandon it altogether. Man was never destined to become 

 such a mere machine. He feels and knows that his judgment, guided 

 by all the light he can obtain, is what should regulate his actions. But 

 who will deny that he may receive many valuable hints by consulting 

 books ? " Give us light," is the distinguished cry of the present age, 

 and we farmers need more light upon every branch of business. It is 

 scarcely necessary to remark to persons of the experience of most of my 

 hearers, that doubts are daily expressed as to the expediency of each and 

 every step of our progress in husbandry. What manures are best? 

 When and how may they be best employed ? When should land be 

 plowed, and how should the furrow be laid? How should corn 

 he planted and cultivated? Is late or early sowing most advisa- 

 ble ? At what state of maturity should grain and grass be gathered, 

 and how cured ? How may we prevent the ravages of insects ? What 

 crops are most profitable, and what rotation of crops is most advisable ? 

 These and numerous other questions are all debatable and debated by 

 practical farmers. Then do not reject any means of information as un- 

 worthy of your attention. But rather seek light in any and every di- 

 rection whence it may offer itself. 



One more important subject for the farmer to attend to, is his domes- 

 tic animals. Experience has shown, that all animals, when well fed, 



