1857.] The Relation of the Physical Nature of the Soil, &c. 83 



says our objector, 'until the wlieat is gathered.' This is proper ad- 

 vice, and we will patiently abide the result. We are now prepared 

 to say that if the whole theory prove a cheat and a deception, it 

 nevertheless takes us 'to such a stand-point of observation as will 

 either to prove it true or false, necessarily lead to such close inves- 

 tigation and experiment, as must be attended with salutary results, 

 and perhaps lead to valuable discoveries, for the observer will be 

 under the necessity of investigating nature closely and systematically. 

 Now, until something more substantial than bold denunciation, 

 and ill-timed wit and ridicule, are employed against this, or any oth- 

 er plausible theory or doctrine, we shall neither be moved to aban- 

 don our position, nor reply to our defamers. If subsequent expe- 

 rience and reliable statements substantiate as conclusively the 

 claims of what is denominated ' Terra Culture,' as those already 

 preferred in attestation of such claims, it will take something more 

 than the cry of humbug to frighten us into silence, or deter us 

 from its practice. Let the old fogy continue to plant his potatoes 

 in the moon, when the sign is in the foot, and he who would decry 

 science, resort to his Delphic oracle, the press, where he can find 

 the response that best suits him; we shall endeaver to conform our 

 practice — after taking into view the nature of seed, plant, or tuber — 

 to the obvious laws regulating its germination, growth and matur- 

 ity, which Terra Culture boldly claims to understand, and rigidly to 

 follow. 



For the Cincinnatus. 



THE RELATION OF THE PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE 

 SOIL TO ITS FERTILITY. 



To a pious man of old the divine promise was given, that his seed 

 should inherit a land where milk and honey flows, and at all times 

 has a fruitful and fertile country been a safe guarantee to a nation's 

 lasting welfare and prosperity. Fertility of the soil is the all im- 

 portant standard by which the farmer measures and selects the spot 

 where his home is to be erected, and upon which his toils and ener- 

 gies are to be expended. Since the day when man first undertook 

 to cultivate the earth, up to this enlightened present age, the intel- 

 ligent tiller of the soil has again and again attempted to comprehend 

 the manifold problems of his profession ; but has he, with all the light 



