THE RELATIONS OF WATER TO AGRI- 

 CULTURE. 



fTHHE intimate relation which the science of 

 chemistry sustains to agriculture is shown in 

 the fact that all the products of the farm are strictly 

 chemical compounds, and all the changes necessary 

 for their production are chemical reactions of a 

 complex nature. The farmer is therefore but little 

 less than a chemical manipulator engaged in bring- 

 ing elements into favorable conditions for combina- 

 tion, thus aiding in the production of complex or- 

 ganic bodies. In the spring we place in the ground 

 the little seeds, and in order that the silent chem- 

 ical forces may operate unimpeded, we furnish in 

 close proximity with the seed those elements which 

 must participate in the reaction, and become inte- 

 gral parts of the future plant. The substances 

 thus supplied we call fertilizers or plant nutriment, 

 and the perfection of the structure depends upon 

 a liberal supply and intelligent application of these 

 elements of growth. These remarks apply to us 

 who are required to till the thin exhausted soils of 

 '* New England. They have but little significance 



