APPENDIX. 191 



WG can abandon guesswork, and know just how to put our soils 

 in the condition most favorable to the most luxuriant growth of 

 whatever crop we wish to produce from it. This can be done 

 only by the analysis of our several soils and the crops we cul- 

 tivate, so that, by the comparison of the chemical composition 

 of the soil, with that of the crop we intend to cultivate on it, 

 we can see precisely what needs to be added, to adapt each to 

 the other. And then we must have an analysis of different 

 kinds of riianures, prepared in the different ways that may be 

 practiced, or may be suggested, so that we may know precisely 

 what kind and how prepared, will the most effectually supply 

 the wants of our several soils. 



Our collea:e laboratories, with slight additions and altera- 

 tions, are prepared to do this work now — all that is needed 

 now or will be needed hereafter. Thus, by applying our means 

 in this place, we make available instrumentalities already pro- 

 vided for other purposes, without at all interfering with those 

 purposes, making thereby a saving of expense to the State, 

 securing all that can be attained by any method, so far as 

 science is concerned, and at the same time doing a service to 

 the institutions. It is helping the great interest of agriculture 

 in the most effectual way, and at the same time doing a great 

 service to the cause of science and letters through these insti- 

 tutions. Besides, it is providing not only for the present wants 

 of agriculture, but making a permanent arrangement to meet 

 all its future wants in this direction, and free as water to the 

 practical farmer, and at a moderate expense to the State — at 

 far less than it can be secured in any other way. Indeed, the 

 only question is, whether it is not asked at too little expense 

 on the part of the State. 



2. It directly connects agricultural science and places it on 

 a level with science and literature in general, instead of setting 

 it one side as an isolated and inferior matter, not fit to be 

 associated with the elegancies and refinements of general science 

 and literature. 



There is a strong tendency among young men to regard 

 delving in the earth, working over the manure heap, and feeding 

 animals — all farm operations — as a sort of menial and degrad- 

 ing employment, not suited to their notions of dignity and 



