ELEMENTS 



OF 



SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 



CHAPTER L 



INTRODUCTION. ORGANIC ELEMENTS OF PLANTS. 



True meaning of the word agriculture : how much more it means 

 than is commonly understood. Plants divided into an organic 

 and inorganic part: meaning of these words. Names of organic 

 elements : Carbon and its properties 5 hydrogen and its proper 

 ties; oxygen and its properties; nitrogen and its properties, 

 with modes for obtaining all. Importance of these bodies. 



SECTION I. DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURE. 



Agriculture, according to the usually accepted 

 meaning of the word, signifies the art of cultivating 

 the soil. It is unnecessary to say that this is its 

 true meaning, and yet how few of those who would 

 promptly give the above definition seem to have any 

 adequate idea of all that is involved in the words " cul 

 tivating the soil." 



A soil that is cultivated, is thoroughly and more or 

 less deeply ploughed according to the situation, is 

 mellow, is free from stumps and large stones, is dry 

 and clear of hurtful weeds. How many fields in this 

 condition are to be seen in most American villages? 

 Are they in the majority, or do they constitute a very 

 small minority? It is to be feared that there are few 

 neighborhoods, even of limited extent, fitted to chal 

 lenge inspection. 



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