84 LETTEE-FILES OF S. W. JOHNSON 



ests of both may be advanced. Rest assured, therefore, that 

 I shall be prepared to serve you as efficiently as possible when- 

 ever the proper occasion arrives, believing as I do that I can 

 thus aid the progress of agriculture. Very truly yours, 



Luther Tucker. 



While resident in Munich, Mr. Johnson discussed 

 some subjects of permanent interest in the columns 

 of the Country Gentleman. In February 1854, he 

 brought to the attention of his readers the then newly 

 established agricultural experiment station at Moeck- 

 ern, saying: 



The great utility of such establishments, and the hope that 

 the organization of similar ones in the United States may be 

 encouraged by an account of this, induces me to annex a 

 translation of the important features of the statute relating 

 thereto, and approved by the Saxon government about a year 

 since. . . . What agriculture most needs is the establishment 

 of its doctrines, not the proposition of fancies, or of facts 

 which hold good for this or that township, but the evolution 

 of a general theory, applicable everywhere. . . . The basis of 

 doctrine will not rapidly unfold itself. It must be unfolded. 

 If agriculturists would know, they must inquire. The knowl- 

 edge they need belongs not to revelation, but to science ; and 

 it must be sought for as the philosopher seeks other scientific 

 truth. When farmers contribute to the carrying on of inves- 

 tigations having for an object the discovery of the laws of 

 culture and vegetable growth, and conducted by minds that 

 bring to their task that requisite vigor, skill and knowledge, 

 then light will flood in where now is only obscurity. When 

 Ag. Societies make Experiment Stations their care and pride, 

 they will more fully and legitimately approach the accom- 

 plishment of their end, the perfection of agriculture. 



While appeals to Legislatures have been made in vain for 

 the endowment of agricultural schools while the means of 



