136 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. 



fluids of the tree which received tlie graft are the same, but tlie vv'ood}^ structure 

 of the scion is not the same, for the absorbents take up and combine elements 

 which, coming in contact with the oxygen taken in l)y the leaves, produce the 

 sweet bough still. 



Farmers, I do not consider there is any danger in our knowing too much, for 



"Shallow draughts intoxicate the brain; 

 Drinking largely sobers us again.'' 



What masters or teachers shall we put ourtclves under for instruction in this 

 great work of progress in our calling? I am aware that what is said is directed 

 to an intelligent class of farmers, who^^e experience is more than mine, altliough 

 I have followed it in this State and Territory since 1833 vathout intermission. 

 Looking upon you in this or that light, I judge that your management of the 

 farm is all that it could be, taking into consideration location and circumstances 

 generally. In frugality, domestic economy, good management, and care of 

 domestic affairs, I yield you the award cheerfully. 



Farmers, I acknowledge that more than half of my life has been spent in 

 forms and the production of forms, by labor mechanically performed, for the 

 profit of the thing in dollars and cents. But youth is past, and reproduction of 

 forms, beautiful as they are when perfect, and however essential for the support 

 of our organic structure, I place less importance to that essential than to the 

 law by which the elements in nature are made to assume form. Let us become 

 better farmers by learning the science of farming, and reap what gold and silver 

 cannot buy. 



Wheat is considered of the first importance in mixed husbandry, by all farm- 

 ers whose soil is adapted to its growth. The question is often asked (in some 

 localities), What shall we do to arrest the gradual deterioration of soils for 

 raising this, the most prominent cereal? It seems to me this need not be so. 

 There is a cause for it ; let us enquire v;herein it lies. Our new soils produce the 

 most perfect specimens, hence we draw the conclusion that soils, now, possess 

 the required elements for such a result. Is it mismanagement or too much 

 management that causes the deterioration? Forcing the ground is too much 

 management, while injudicious handling is mi-management, in more ways than 

 one. Vv^e may over-task our beast of burden by violating the law of his phys- 

 ical structure, to his utter ruin, and no restorative can make him good. We 

 may render our farms unproductive and almost worthless by exhausting the 

 proper elements for growth. There is a difference between the organic beast 

 and the mineral earth, for time will restore the latter to its normal condition or 

 productiveness. 



Farmers, you will indulge me in asking a few questions : What element or 

 elements are the most likely to be exhausted from soils naturally adapted for 

 wheat-growing? Is it the nitrates of potash, or any of the alkaline jiroperties? 

 How are they generated, or replaced if volatilized by heat and escape into the 

 atmosphere, or do they return from the atmosphere by absorption? Our expe- 

 rience teaches us that lime is one of the essential minerals in a good wheat soil. 

 Limestone holds a given amount of carbonic acid. In what manner is it disin- 

 tegrated or volatilized for the benefit of the plant? Tho«e of us wlio have seen 

 lime kilns in burning have discovered the gas emitting from the top, and when 

 it ceases to volatilize the stone is sufficiently burned. By heat the carbonate is 

 separated ; then we use it for the benefit of the plant, where the soil is found 

 lacking in this substance. Do the solar rays, acting on this mineral or calca- 

 reous substance, produce the same result? We learn that before it is available 



