THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



481 



used for observations, and the like results have 

 been fancied and expected to attend all similar 

 experiments. No practical analogy exists between 

 common farming and the processes of the garden ; 

 nor any comparison with trials made in pots and 

 vases placed in a room or greenhouse : all such 

 essays, in order to be decisive and satisfactory, 

 must be performed on similar and tangible grounds, 

 in order to remove a very weighty and insuperable 

 objection, and be recommended for easy and gene- 

 ral adoption. Experiments are generally made on 

 too favourable grounds ; and predictions require a 

 very cautious promulgation, being so very liable to 

 numerous and mortifying falsifications. Futurs 

 practice has, in many cases, disallowed both the 

 experiments and results, and has rendered caution 

 to be most necessary in the drawing of inferences 

 and deductions. Experiment is seldom wrong, if 

 properly made and used. Deception arises in forcing 

 results to comply with our wishes ; and in supposing 

 that difterent circumstances will afford the same con- 

 clusions, and that different minds will view objects 

 in the same light. Nothing should receive assent 

 without positive conviction, where reason and ex- 

 perience can be applied to decide; and our judg- 

 ment must not be allowed to mislead ourselves and 

 others, by expecting and promising results that 

 cannot be obtained, and which are refused by 

 Nature in the varied circumstances from which the 

 general results must be deduced. Crude concep- 

 tions and exaggerated statements have usurped 

 the place of sound reasoning, and of the moderate 

 expectations enjoined by providence and experience ; 

 and the consequent disappointments have thrown 

 discredit on many attempts of a similar nature and 

 object. But some little judgment and reflection 

 will speedily set the matter in a right view, and 

 point out the proper mode of proceeding. 



Chemists expect that their art will effect in 

 agriculture the same results as in medicine, where 

 the inert ligneous matter, formerly so hurtful to 

 the living organs, by its decomposition, has been 

 separated in vegetable products, and the active 

 principle has been presented in a pure crystalline 

 form. But the circumstances are wholly different : 

 no hving body will suffer without harm the con- 

 tact of decaying matter; but the earth is a dead 

 receptacle, and can sustain no injury from that 

 process. On the contrary, the inert hgneous mat- 

 ter affords, by its decomposition, the material or 

 body on which the refined matter must act in the 

 soil. A medicine supplies no food to the body, 

 but modifies the action of the functions of the 

 organs ; and food must be provided in order to 

 develop its effects. The most concentrated and 

 powerful manure would produce no effect on pure 

 earths or oxides; nor could medicine exert any 



influence on the original constituents of an ani- 

 mated body, without the living mechanism of 

 muscular fibre and functional organs. The dif- 

 ferent and ever varying circumstances of appUcation 

 have permitted little or no progress in these ways, 

 and have created mutual distrust between the 

 philosopher and practitioner; the former looking 

 on the cultivator as a most ignorant and incurably 

 prejudiced being; and the latter regarding the 

 former as a visionary speculator, vmable to re- 

 duce any of his theories to practice. But the 

 abstract philosopher may not stop, in his investiga- 

 tions of the mysteries of Nature, to enquire and 

 determine if his speculations and deductions be 

 applicable to any operation of practice, but proceed, 

 wholly regardless of such a purpose, and leave 

 the hints and suggestions of his labours to be 

 adopted and used, as the different employment of 

 the arts may direct. 



Scientific men have, themselves, created and 

 continued the aversion and distrust with which 

 their labours are regarded by practical experience. 

 This error arises from a total ignorance of agricul- 

 ture having the confidence to publish experiments, 

 results, and theories, that are wholly opposite 

 to natural processes, and, from continuing the 

 fallacies long after the means are known to effect 

 the complete contradiction. The greatest abilities 

 and the very best intentions are in this way ex- 

 pended in a most fruitless employment ; and much 

 more harm than good is done by the writing of 

 conceit and ignorance. 



The philosopher, who sails in the ship of science, 

 forgets that the disciples cannot embark without a 

 boat; and that this essential provision being want- 

 ing, no passage can be made from the sunken 

 paths of practical experience into the lofty con- 

 templations of natural research. No plank is laid 

 to conduct the footsteps over the intervening gulf; 

 and no helm or compass is placed to guide the 

 wandering voyager into the haven of enjoyment. 

 But though these abstract speculations have not 

 afforded, either from physical or scientific theory, 

 any assistance to the operations suggested by ex- 

 ternal objects and impressions, yet perseverance 

 may probably lead to some valuable discovery, as 

 has already happened in similar pursuits, and make 

 an ample recompence for many aggravated mis- 

 givings. Such subjects, even if they never produce 

 any result that is applicable to public utility, are 

 nevertheless in themselves most worthy the atten- 

 tion and study of rational beings ; they enlarge the 

 circle of knowledge, ennoble our sentiments, refine 

 and exalt our ideas, and, by directing the mind to 

 lofty contemplations, annihilate the delusion of the 

 senses. On these subjects, it may be presumptu- 

 ous to be sanguine, and unphilosophical to despair. 



J. D. 



