462 ''Terra Culture"— Prof. Comstoch. [October, 



story were it explained. Grrandfatlier told his son John, that his 

 great grandfather succeeded best by planting in this or that way, 

 but the entire philosophy of the thing is wanting. We venture the 

 assertion that if you would inquire often men, how they would pre- 

 pare the same field for wheat, that no two of them would agree; the 

 same would be true of sowing, covering, and indeed every important 

 particular. This is not science ; this is the result of an uncertain prac- 

 tice. And that if the Professor were asked, he would differ from every 

 one of the ten on more than twenty particulars, and give you his ra- 

 tionale, plausible, at least, for every departure, showing in what particu- 

 lar you violate established botanical laws. 



But, says our objector, "I will not leave an old established practice 

 for mere theory; wisdom, and prudence require that we should not de- 

 part from usages consecrated by time, until other methods, to be sub- 

 stituted in their place, have been fairly subjected to trial, and have re- 

 ceived the sanction of experience." 



Plausible enough, but not progressive. If all were to come to such a 

 conclusion, the world would wag on in the old beaten track, and if this 

 policy had been pursued in the Arts where would we now have been; 

 In the darkness of a mideeviil age. Is it not the better course to give a 

 theory of such importance and such plausibility a few tests? 



It is at once admitted that nature proceeds in all her processes ac- 

 cording to fixed and established laws. That the diff"erent parts of 

 plants all have their peculiar functions, and perform certain ofl&ces, 

 the roots, stem, and leaves, the spongioles, albumen, and various tissues. 

 It is the province of sound philosophy to learn their relations, and how 

 to treat them in practice according to " Terra culture." The treatment 

 necessary to the most successful maturation of the plant — its perfecting 

 its grain and its fruit — is pointed out and insisted upon by the practice of 

 many years, and a reference to more than five hundred names concur- 

 ring in such treatment and bearing testimony to its important results. 

 If these testimonials are notafrabrication,and afarce, " Terra culture" 

 has solid ground to rest upon. You say that here is nothing new. Prove 

 that position, says its author, and you shall have placed in your hands 

 one thousand dollars. No inconsiderable sum in this money loving 

 age; try it; according to your statement it will be easily won. "But 

 this thing of secrecy, I do not believe in it." "If the man has any- 

 thing valuable, society will reward him." He with many others have 

 come to the conclusion that the tender mercies of puhlic opinion are of- 

 ten unjust if not cruel.^^ 



