192 Farmyard Manure. 



a scientific principle, rests on a firm basis, and is derived from 

 the constant recurrence of a number of well-established facts. I 

 am well aware how many so-called improvements are the emana- 

 tions of the heated imagination of empirical theorists, and how 

 few of the suggestions of even eminent scientific men can be 

 practically carried out with economy on a large scale. I there- 

 fore find it quite natural that the agriculturist, often bewildered, 

 and scarcely knowing how to meet the difficulties that beset his 

 path in carrying out modern improvements, should relapse into 

 his old and accustomed course. 



The inquiry into the changes which farmyard manure under- 

 goes in keeping, under various modes of management, unques- 

 tionably is a subject of great importance ; and I cannot help 

 therefore expressing astonishment that it has not been taken up 

 long ago, and submitted to a thorough and searching investiga- 

 tion. Hitherto our knowledge of this subject has been altogether 

 very narrow, and this limited knowledge is of such a general cha- 

 racter that it could not have been attended with any marked 

 general improvement in the management of farmyard manure. 

 General, and, in several respects, superficial information on so 

 important a subject will as little assist the practical farmer in 

 husbanding his home-made manure as similar information in the 

 cultivation of root-crops would enable him to grow an abundant 

 and remunerative crop of turnips. Agricultural chemistry, it strikes 

 me, has reached that point at which, in order to become really use- 

 ful to the practical man, it can no longer be prosecuted with suc- 

 cess by amateur chemists, nor even by scientific chemists, who do 

 not throw their whole energy into the inquiry, and give their un- 

 divided attention and time to this noble and eminently practical 

 branch of applied science. This view appears to be daily gain- 

 ing ground ; and the time is fast approaching when agriculturists 

 will no longer look with a certain suspicion on scientific investi- 

 gations, but hail them with pleasure, aud willingly render that 

 practical assistance which chemists have long earnestly desired. . 

 Many important inquiries, which neither the analyst in his labo- 

 ratory nor the farmer in his fields can solve alone, will then be 

 brought to a happy issue, and the principle which the Royal 

 Agricultural Society has adopted for its motto, " Practice with 

 Science," then, and then only, will bring forth its choicest 

 blossoms, and be crowned with abundant fruit. 



These thoughts were suggested to me on undertaking an ex- 

 tended inquiry into the changes Avhich farmyard manure under- 

 goes on keeping, under different modes of management ; and I 

 feel bound publicly to express my obligations to the enlightened 

 Principal of our College, for the readiness with which he has-met 

 my wishes, and placed at my disposal horse and cart, men and 



