108 Our Views and Revieivs. [February, 



ef capital and labor, the largest amount of income. To attain this object, the 

 farmer should fully understand the nature and properties of soils — of what his 

 particular soil is composed. He should be informed of the proportions of the 

 several elements which enter into, and constitute the various kinds of grains, 

 grasses, and other articles produced by him ; he should be able to determine in 

 what element any of his fields may be deficient, in order to the successful produc- 

 tion of any specified crop ; he should know what qualities of soils are exhausted 

 by growing of any of the various crops usually cultivated , he should understand 

 the various properties of manures, when, and in what condition, and how much 

 to apply, in oi^der to effect any object. He should be well informed in vegetable 

 physiology — should understand the raising of domestic animals, their uses and 

 food— the general management of labor, aud when and how to be applied — the 

 best modes of accomplishing particular results ; and, in fine, he should be a man 

 of excellent common sense — of thorough education — of apt and inquiring disposition^ 

 of ripe experience — of great practical tact and business talent, and thoroughly active ana, 

 attentive to all his duties." 



Again, in speaking of the prejudices sometimes entertained against what is 

 called "Book Farming," he says : 



" While a want of suitable educational facilities and advantages is sensibly 

 felt, there are other evils in the land, which retard the intellectual and physical 

 improvement of the country, and impair its productive capacity; among which 

 is one that farmers possess in a remarkable degree — prejudice. Prejudice in favw 

 of old ways and plans of farming — of old implements — old, standai-d, superanu- 

 ated notions— old lunar, and equally ridiculous kindred influences — and bitter, 

 unyielding prejudices against science, as applied to their business — against the 

 t&achings of well -conducted experiments — against agricultural books and news- 

 papers — new implements — new modes of producing particular results — against 

 evei-ything, in fine, that is mitten or pi'inted, and which may be included in the 

 very odious, yet comprehensive term, of " Book Far3Iing.'' Unfortunately, we 

 have a class among us who imagine that all knowledge necessary for conducting 

 farming operations is intuitive— the gift of nature. They not only disregard 

 agricultural information as derived from other sources, but they sneer at and 

 deride those who have wisdom enough to avail themselves of its advantages. 



"Why should this bitter, senseless and uncompromising warfare be continued 

 against ' Book Farming?' What is it, after all, but the teachings of the laws of 

 nature — unfolding the principles, and explaining the ways and means by which 

 she operates — giving to you, through the medium of agricultural papers, and 

 standard agricultural and scientific works, not only the well matured and enlight- 

 ened views and opinions of men of deep research and practical knowledge, but 

 giving to you, also, the results of various experimental processes, conducted by 

 their own pi-acticed hands, and observed by their own critical eyes ? Are those 

 who have such a holy horror of ' Book Learning,' so profoundly wise that they 

 vinderstand all the laws and all the mysteries of vegetable life? Do they under- 

 stand all the properties and uses of the various gases, and other elements 

 floating around and about us ? Do they know in what vegetables they are most 

 required? Do they understand how, and with what substances these gases can 

 he most reviAWj fixed, and the extent to which it may be profitable to thus use 

 them ? Do they fully conprehend all the other mysterious agencies by which 

 they can use all the other means and advantages which are spread out in such 



