OBSERVATION AND REFLECTION IN AGRICULTURE. 225 



rise of tlie successive crops obtained from tlie manured 

 field at Oberbobritzscli evidently shows a very uniform 

 distribution of active dung-constituents, such as might be 

 expected in a soil which, though not exactly sandy, yet 

 contained a larger ])roportion of sand than any of the 

 other experimental fields. 



It is easy to see, that by knowing the absorptive power 

 of the arable soil in these several fields, the farmer is 

 enabled to determine beforehand to what depth the nutri- 

 tive substances supplied in the manure will penetrate into 

 the ground ; and it follows, as a matter of course, that he 

 is able to apply with greater effect the mechanical means 

 at his disposal for promoting the distribution of these 

 elements in the soil, in the right places and in the proper 

 manner. 



It would answer no good purpose to expatiate still fur- 

 ther on this point ; my object has been to direct the 

 attention of the farmer to the different facts or pheno- 

 mena which are presented by his land during the process 

 of cultivation ; because a closer observation of each 

 phenomenon will lead him to reflect upon the cause of 

 it. This is the way to obtain an accurate knowledge of 

 the state and condition of the soil. 



Observation and reflection are the fundamental condi- 

 tions of all progress in natural science ; and agriculture 

 presents, in this respect, ample room for discoveries. 

 Wliat must be the feelings of happiness and contentment 

 of the man who, by skilfully turning to proper account 

 his intimate knowledge of the peculiarities of his land, 

 has succeeded, without increased apphcation of labour or 

 capital, in gaining from it a permanent increase of 

 produce ? For such a result is not only a personal advan- 

 tage to himself, but a most im})nrtant Ijenefit conferred 

 upon all mankind. 



Q 



