CONDITIONS OF SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTING. 329 



Prof. Fernald. I hope there will be no misinterpretation of the 

 bearing of the lecture that has been presented to us this morning. 

 Prof. Goodale has delineated in a clear manner the method by 

 which experiments can be successfully made. If we are not pre- 

 pared as farmers to enter upon a course of experiments in the 

 extended and elaborate manner indicated, we can certainly do 

 something that will be a benefit, not only to ourselves, but to all 

 interested in the science or the art of agriculture. We may follow 

 the humbler path alluded to by the lecturer. If we cannot take 

 that which true science points out, each man may experiment for 

 himself, and may let the results of his experiments be known, so 

 that his neighbor may profit by them. 



The remark was made by some one, that it was well for a man 

 to experiment, but he should not report what he has accomplished. 

 Why not report it ? Why not, if he has found out anything that 

 is useful to himself, let his neighbor have the benefit of it ? 



Mr. Perley. Will the gentleman allow me to interrupt for one 

 moment ? I made that remark, and it was with this view. We 

 farmers have not the ability to make correct reports. That is, we 

 cannot accurately state the conditions of otir soil ; we cannot state 

 all the conditions of the experiment. If we make a report, some- 

 body else may undertake to follow it and be misled. 



Prof. Fernald. If I may judge by the remarks made by the 

 farmers present this morning, it would seem that almost any of 

 them would be able to make a report that would give some pretty 

 clear idea of the result of their experiments. Of course, there 

 would be some conditions that they could not report, and they 

 would be obliged to leave them out. But let them report as fully 

 as they are able what they have done, and they will find, by prac- 

 tical work and observation, that they will be able to observe and 

 report better and better, and their friends and neighbors will have 

 the benefit of what they are able to do. 



The point I wish to make, however, is this : that while it is 

 well to conduct experiments scientifically, and while it is well to 

 have tentative experiments, and a great deal may be learned from 

 both, the minds of men should be disabused of the idea that 

 experiments scientifically conducted are not practical. If there 

 is anything in the world that is practical it is high science ; and 

 it is only when man goes down into the depths of nature, and 

 fathoms her mysteries, and brings them out to the world, that any 

 advances are made ; and when man has done this, we find there is 



