176 Agricultural Addresses. 



"comes from the soil ; the air cannot partially compensate for 

 the poverty of the earth, as it does in the organic part. 

 Hence, it is necessary that the soil be well supplied " 



Following upon this theory, the address is so connected, that 

 we could convey but little of its great interest without a long 

 quotation. The striking efficacy of lime on some soils, its in- 

 jurious effects on others, and the want of fertility of lands 

 well supplied with farm-yard manure, are fully explained, 

 and are of the greatest interest to every farmer. 



Mr. Norton fully estimates the value of experience to all 

 cultivators, while, at the same time, he shows how slow must 

 be all progress, when guided by practice alone : — 



I would not for an instant be thought to undervalue practical experi- 

 ence; its results have been great and important, and, in many cases, science 

 has only followed to explain what experience has before discovered. But 

 the process of discovery by experiment alone, is always painfully slow, be- 

 cause the experimenter has no clear perceptions to guide him. In many 

 cases, errors and inexplicable differences of opinion arise, because results of 

 an opposite character are obtained by individuals in the same neighborhood. 



I once attended a meeting of a farmer's club, in Ayrshire, Scotland, 

 where the subject of discussion was lime. All were from the same neigh- 

 borhood, and all had used lime, but scarcely any two agreed in their estima- 

 tion of its effocts. Some considered it one of the most valuable manures 

 employed, and others condemned it entirely. The discussion was perfectly 

 unsatisfactory in its termination, each person being only confirmed in his 

 own opinion. The true explanation of their differences consisted in the fact, 

 that the soils of their district were derived from the decomposition of two 

 species of rock, the one of which abounded in lime, while the other was 

 almost entirely destitute. This was a case in which experience gave no in- 

 formation as to the course most advisable in individual cases. Expensive 

 experiments were necessary in each instance, and, after all this expenditure 

 of time and money, no general or useful result was arrived at. But, on the 

 other hand, theory alone is almost as objectionable as practice alone. Re- 

 sults obtained in the laboratory, or on paper, are by no means to be consid- 

 ered as applicable to practice, until tested by experience. Ignorance of this 

 fact has led some of the most eminent philosophers into deplorable errors, 

 and has caused many practical men to regard scientific agriculture as but 

 another name for quackery. The only true course is to unite practice and 

 theory, guiding and explaining each by the other. The utmost possible 

 advance would then be made in both directions, because all experiments 

 would be for definite ends, and guided by clear, intelligent views. 



There are too many of our gardeners and amateurs, whose 



