1882.] COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 119 



Civilized human society is a very complex organization. It 

 is the outcome of forces which are often obscure, and they 

 interact and modify each other to such an extent that it is not 

 easy to trace the stream of consequences that flow from each, back 

 to its source. From time to time new forces come into play, and 

 we have an opportunity to note the changes which follow their 

 action. In some cases these changes are very wonderful. It is 

 simply impossible for human foresight to anticipate them. To 

 the great Weaver the web of human progress is simple and clear, 

 but the scope of our observation is so limited that we cannot fol- 

 low the threads nor trace the pattern. It seems to us confused 

 and intricate. It is, however, easy to see that from time to time 

 the form and substance of social and industrial life have been 

 greatly modified by the introduction of some new force or the use 

 of some new material, which, at its first discovery, may have been 

 regarded as only a toy or a curiosity. 



The magnetic needle, for example, making practicable the navi- 

 gation of the broad oceans and bringing a new world to the notice 

 of European civilization — how differently would the history of 

 the world have read, if this secret had still slumbered in the 

 hiding place of unknown forces. The use of coal as fuel, the 

 application of the expansive force of steam to drive machinery- 

 can any one imagine what our conditions would be if we had 

 never known or used either of these ? To come nearer our own 

 time, the uses to which we put electricity will illustrate the same 

 idea. For years after its discovery this force was the plaything 

 of the scientist, and an object of wonder and curious regard to 

 the multitude. It was mysterious, and seemed to border upon the 

 magical, but only a few dreamers saw in it any possibility of use- 

 fulness. Now it carries our messages over land and under sea, 

 caring nothing for space; asking nothing of time; knowing no 

 weariness; needing no rest; the most wonderful messenger that 

 ever did the errands of the human brain. Of late we have 

 required it not only to carry our messages but to dehver them in 

 our own uttered speech. We burden this messenger, not only 

 with our thought, but with our intonation and accent as well, and 

 all we send is faithfully delivered. And as our new servant has 

 proved swift and faithful, we propose to see if he is not strong as 

 well. He has run swiftly upon errands; we now propose to har- 

 ness him to our cars, and make him grind in the prison house of 

 our factories. Beyond doubt he will be made to do it all, and 



