82 ^^ Terra Culture a Humbug." [Feb., 



their results. The functions of the leaves, and roots, and stem, and 

 tissues, -with all the circumstances pertaining to their nature and 

 complex structure, may be considered as involving many unsolved 

 mysteries. Terra Culture claims to have taken a single step in this 

 Terra Incognita. 



In the maintenance of her claims, she is not wanting in reasons, 

 and comes to us supported by an array of facts, that the skeptic and 

 casuist must dispose of, before they can be consistent with themselves, 

 or with sound philosophy. 



In relation to practical agriculture, we are compelled to hesitate 

 before we assert with confidence that the ' earth moves.' In me- 

 chanics, improvement is obvious. In commerce, it is striking; but 

 any one who will take the pains to examine, will find that our agricul- 

 tural journals are ringing changes from year to year, upon the same 

 bells, leading us to the conclusion that dame l^fitxiveis ?l ficlde thing, 

 and not to be trusted. As we recently took occasion to record in 

 regard to wheat, the same diversity exists in the culture of every 

 important plant and vegetable. You will find the same in the cul- 

 tivation of the potato ; some recommend deep culture, even to the 

 extent of six or eight inches, some shallow, some ridge, some level. 

 Some for seed prefer the largest potatoes, others, large potatoes cut 

 directly in half, others into pieces containing two or three eyes, 

 while not a few prefer small potatoes ; and we even find persons who 

 have made the discovery, and assert with pertinacity that you may 

 eat your potatoes, planting only the sprouts, or even the rind, with 

 entire success. All alike substantiating their opinion by experience 

 and well authenticated facts. 



We are no less fortunate in regard to Terra Culture. A corres- 

 pondent writes us that he has raised sixty pounds of potatoes, or one 

 bushel, from six hills — that since he has adopted the system of cul- 

 tivation which it recommends, he raises more than double the crops 

 of his neighbors, and more than double what he formerly raised, and 

 with less labor and expense ! Another, that Terra Culture has 

 proved invaluable to him in orchard management, and product ; and 

 it is a little remarkable, that among the large number that have been 

 interrogated, not one has yet spoken of it disparagingly, in practice. 

 And in our own brief experience in wheat, we will state, that after 

 a period of six weeks, the Terra Cultured product from a single 

 grain, weighed eight times as heavy as that cultivated aeccording 

 to Loudon. On witnessing this display and disparity, ' wait, wait!' 



