1856.] ''Terra Culture''— Prof . ComsfocJc. 463 



But look at tlie reasonableness of tlie discoverer's plea. The man 

 wlio has a copy-right can avail himself of the advantages of his pen ; 

 The man who invents a machine that costs but five dollars, by secur- 

 ing to himself a patent, avails himself of its advantages and becomes a 

 millionaire. But for him who discovers a valuable principle, or law, 

 as in the case in hand, our government makes no provision. 



And this is the burden of his complaint, and the great object to be 

 gained. He desires the laws to be so modified as to secure him a reason- 

 able consideration for his discovery, and the disclosures be made pub*- 

 lie. He had never applied to Congress but once, when the best minds 

 in the nation gave him audience and approved of his views, and labor- 

 ed for the corrective. He only proved by this effort that Congress was 

 but a representative of the people from whom its members are chosen, 

 and is slow of heart to believe, and slower still to favor, the most com- 

 mendable objects. 



If the claims of " Terra culture " can be sustained only to a limited 

 extent, the author of its discovery is not only entitled to a bounty, but 

 to the lasting gratitude of his countrymen. He is evidently acting in 

 the full belief of the truth of his theory, and hence he proceeds with 

 extreme caution in its disclosure, enjoining the profoundest secrecy, not 

 even suffering a note to be made while he lectures. 



Upon one gentleman present, at the opening of a recent lecture, stat- 

 ing that he could not remain if that injunction was insisted upon, he 

 tersely replied he could not help it — that however wealthy the audi- 

 ence might be, they unitedly had not money enough to influence him 

 to vary from his established conditions. Showing further that he de- 

 signed to take no advantage, he appointed an individual present to re- 

 ceive the money which would not be taken by him until it was adjudg- 

 ed his by the majority present. And his introductory lecture was 

 given to six or seven upon the condition of their paying him one dol- 

 lar, if they thought it worthy; if not, they need not pay him anything, 

 and in thg second lecture, the same. One and all agreed to give him a 

 bonus over the other subscribers in order to a full disclosure. This 

 much is due to Prof. Comstock, and to those who have been more or 

 less impugned with what they have been pleased to caricature as a ri- 

 diculous humbug. 



We so far yield assent to the plausibility of "Terra culture," and 

 its bold claims, that we purpose to put it to the test of experiment ; 

 and in order to obtain light, we have written to persons who have for 

 several years practiced it. 



