MANURES. 229 



follow their vocation for profit and not for amnscment, to attend 

 more to resources within their own control, and think less, at 

 present, of the chemists' laboratories and the islands of the Par 

 cific ; these may be well in their place, but on this subject, as on 

 some others, 



" A little learning is a dangerous thing, 

 Drink deep, or taste not." 



William Little, Chairman. 



Comrnimication of James R. Nichols. 



Allen W. Dodge, Secretary, Sfc. : — In accordance with your 

 request that I should furnish you with some account of my 

 observations on European husbandry, for publication in the 

 Transactions of the Essex Agricultural Society, 1 herewith send 

 you a brief communication. I am under deep obligations to 

 yourself, C. L. Flint, Secretary of the State Agricultural Board, 

 Gov. Gardner, Prof. Nash, and others, for ample facilities fur- 

 nished me for observation while abroad. With the letters placed 

 in my hands, I found ready access to all sources of information 

 respecting soil cultivation, and to the society of those interested 

 in promoting the great interests of agriculture. 



It is apparent, notwithstanding the doubts and objections, and 

 alleged failure of experiments, and harsh controversies in the 

 leading agricultural journals respecting the theories and deduc- 

 tions of purely scientific minds, as relating to the soil and its 

 products, that never liave;the mutual relationship of science and 

 agriculture, and the benefits conferred by the former upon the 

 latter, been more generally acknowledged in England and Ger- 

 many than at the present time. The great farming experiment 

 in that county in England after which our own derives its 

 name, — the county of Essex, — has been eminently successful. 

 I allude to the celebrated Tiptree farm, owned by Mr. Mechi. 

 Here the facts and principles furnished by science to agricul- 

 ture, have been systematically carried out upon a grand scale, 

 and the results have shown the wisdom and sagacity of the 

 undertaking. Upon this farm, we see what is accomplislicd by 

 saving the liquid excrements of animals. We see the value of 

 applying manures to the soil in such condition that it may be 

 immediately consumed by plants, bringing them to maturity in 



