74 



nius and ability; but when such an one is removed from 

 onr midst, we naturally inquire into the elements of his 

 power. It is in this way that, when one is dead, he 

 yet speaketh — speaks not only in word and in deed, but 

 in the more silent operations of the mind, which are 

 marked in the successive grades of culture by which one 

 rises to eminence. 



Deeply as we deplore the loss of the most practical 

 agricultural writer and thinker of the present time — one 

 from whence the farming community expected much, and 

 whose efforts promised more permanently beneficial re- 

 sults than those of any other man, we shall find that his 

 life, though short, is full of instruction and replete with 

 interest. 



From his youth, Mr. Norton had been more or less con- 

 versant with the practice of agriculture, and as is natur- 

 ally the case with an inquiring mind, the apparent lack 

 of system, and ruinous waste often seen, led to thought 

 iind investigation. After having pursued the study of 

 chemistry with the ablest professors in this country, he 

 visited Europe, in the summer of 1844, for the purpose 

 of pursuing his studies farther than could be done here, 

 and also to extend his observations. Mr. Norton accom- 

 panied Prof. Johnston on a tour through Scotland, the re- 

 sults of which appeared in his letters published in this 

 journal. These letters, which were continued regularly 



