FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 187 



substance, us muck, wo discard that for general farming ; the two combined 

 will form what is termed a good soil. Chemistry jierforms an important part 

 in the labors of the farm. The farmer is tlie chemist, the farm the labo- 

 ratory, and his success depends almost entirely upon supplying the soil with 

 those substances that contain the elements for the crop, and by tillage and the 

 action of water, air, and heat upon them, the gases formed by this new coni])i- 

 nation form the food for plant-growth, and for its perfection. 



Prof. Johnson, in his work on Agricultural Chemistry, in explaining the 

 action of gases, as of ammonia and nitrogen that is in the air, on the growth 

 of plants, cites as an illustration, that if two farmers side by side, the one 

 with better cultivation and more luxuriant growth of crops, would adsorb not 

 only tlie ammonia and other gases in that field, but would draw these very ele- 

 ments from his neighbor's, enriching the better crop at the expense of the 

 poorer. 



Allowing this to be the case it would bo a great incentive to farmers to strive 

 for the ascendency in having a rich soil and thorough cultivation. 



In farm management we reason from causes to effects, and so plan our ope- 

 rations. Botany is called into requisition as we study the character and 

 habits of growth of the grain, the grasses, and ])lants which we raise, while 

 we may be ignorant of how to analyze them or classify them in their natural 

 order. 



Two other important sciences are being rapidly developed, viz. : Entomology 

 and Pomology. 



As our country grows older, each year seems to bring some new insect enemy to 

 injure and destroy our crops. It is important to learn their habits that we may 

 destroy them or prevent their ravages. Pomology is important in connection 

 with the farmer's profession. No farmer can excuse himself in being without 

 a variety of fruits at all seasons of the year. These delicious luxuries and 

 necessities should be found in abundance on every farm. But they need atten- 

 tion and proper cultivation. None can question the fact that the better these 

 sciences are understood and applied there will be more enjoyment in farm la- 

 bor and more satisfactory results. 



No one can adopt a system of farming unless his farm is first prepared, either 

 naturally or by artificial means, to carry out a plan of regular rotation, which 

 is the only correct and sure method of keeping up the fertility of the land. It 

 is true that very good crops are raised in succession, for a time, if the soil is rich 

 in the elements for those crops, but ultimately, the failure will be sure to come. 

 Our banks are not in the habit of discounting beyond the deposits. A farmer, 

 by adopting a system whereby he increases the average of his crop, is not likely 

 to fall back to the '"' make do" and " no method" way. Ho will not be satis- 

 fied with a merely perceptible increase in the yield, but he sets his mark to the 

 highest limit, and at that he aims. In breeding and feeding stock, he discards 

 the common coarse-boned cattle that, at three years old, will weigh 800 lbs., 

 when with the improved breeds, at two years old, with less corn, he can have 

 them to weigh 1,000 lbs., and worth one-third more per lb. He is not satisfied 

 to raise such swine as, at one and a-half years old, with no limit to the amount 

 of corn consumed, will weigh 250 lbs., when with the improved breeds, at nine 

 months old, tiiey weigh 300 lbs. He cannot afford to raise sheep that shear 

 2^ to 4 lbs. of wool, when he can as cheaply raise the improved breeds, that 

 shear from 5 to 10 lbs. of wool, and worth more per lb. 



This question of a higher standard of farming, and the improvement of stock 



