176 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



mals, together with the methods of their extermination. 

 In short, an agricultural study of animal beings must deal, 

 with the physiology and structure of each race, in every 

 stage of its existence. How wide is this field of inquiry, 

 and how momentous to the interests of agriculture, needs 

 riot to be demonstrated. 



But to the chemist is assigned, in connection with agri- 

 culture, a branch of duty not less important, and, if any- 

 thing, more difficult, than to either of the preceding. To 

 him belongs not only the duty of ascertaining the constitu- 

 ents of every soil, and the ingredients which render it 

 either barren or fertile, which adapt it to peculiar produc- 

 tions, which cause it to require more or less labor in the 

 tillage, but also that of determining the nature of the dress- 

 ing which may restore it w r hen exhausted, whether tin- same 

 should consist of animal, vegetable, or mineral substum -. 

 and in what proportions. He must also examine the con- 

 stituents, immediate and ultimate, of each vegetable, and 

 trace the relation between the character of a soil and that 

 of the vegetable substances which it is capable of produc- 

 ing. 



In various parts of our country it is well known that 

 shell and other limestones, marl, gypsum, and alluvial 

 deposits of various kinds, are resorted to for furnishing 

 the dressings of worn-out or barren soils ; and yet it is 

 equally well known that not every soil is alike benefited by 

 the same dressing. Even among the marls, some produce 

 an effect absolutely injurious, on the very soils which others 

 would fertilize in a high degree. Hence the importance of 

 designating, by means of chemical analysis, the fertilizing 

 or non-fertilizing properties of every compost used in the 

 dressing of land, its adaptation to each soil, and its utility 

 as applied to each production which that soil is designed to 

 yield. 



Though almost unknown in our country, and unapplied 

 to its industry, the subject of agricultural chemistry has not 

 been deemed unworthy to engage the best talents of Euro- 

 pean chemists. In proof of this, we need only recur to the 

 names of Henry and Ure, and the immortal Davy. 



The three branches of agricultural science above de- 

 scribed would in their several collections present an exhibi- 

 tion of exceeding interest, and one every way worthy to 

 fix the attention of the multitudes of citizens who annually 

 visit the seat of Government, as well as of the assembled 

 representatives of the people. 



Stored in appropriate receptacles would be found the 



