20a SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. Part II. 



mode is the natural or actual mode in which every art is acquired (in so far as acquire- 

 ment is made) by such as have no recourse to books, and may be compared to the natural 

 mode of acquiring a language without the study of its grammar. The latter mode is by 

 much the most correct and effectual, and is calculated to enable an instructed agricul- 

 turist to proceed with the same kind of confidence and satisfaction in his practice tliat a 

 grammarian does in the use of language. 



1262, In adopting what we consider as the -preferable mode of agricultural instruction, 

 we shall, as its grammar or science, endeavour to convey a general idea of the nature of 

 vegetables, of animals, of minerals, mixed bodies, and the atmosphere, as connected 

 witli agriculture ; of agricultural implements and other mechanical agents ; and of 

 agricultural operations and processes. 



^ 263. The study of the science of agriculture may be considered as implying a regular 

 education in the student, who ought to be well acquainted with arithmetic and mensur- 

 ation, have acquired the art of sketching objects, whether animal, vegetable, or general 

 scenery, of taking off. and laying down geometrical plans ; but especially he ought to 

 have studied chemistry, hydraulics, and something of carpentry, smithery, and the other 

 building arts : and as Professor Von Thaer observes, he ought to have some knowledge 

 of all those manufactures to which his art furnishes the raw materials. 



BOOK I. 



OF THE STUDY OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM WITH A VIEW TO AGRICULTWRE. 



1264. The various objects with which we are surrounded are either organized, having 

 several constituent parts which united form a whole capable of increase by nourishment ; 

 or they are inorganized, and only increased by additions to their external parts. To the 

 first division belong the animal and vegetable kingdom, and their study is founded 

 chiefly on observation ; to the second belongs the mineral kingdom, the study of which 

 in masses, or geology and mineralogy, is also founded chiefly on observation ; and in re- 

 gard to composition and elements, on experiment or chemistry. 



1265. Vegetables are distinguished from animals as not being endowed with sentiment 

 or a consciousness of existence. Their study has employed the attention of mankind from 

 a very early period ; and has been carried to a high degree of perfection within the last 

 century ; and more especially by the exertions of Linnaeus, Jussieu, Mirbel, and some 

 other French philosophers. This study comprehends systematic botany, vegetable 

 anatomy, vegetable chemistry, physiology, pathology, the distribution of vegetables, and 

 vegetable culture. The study of these branches is of the utjnost importance to the agri- 

 culturist, especially that of vegetable physiology ; and though the limits of this work do 

 not permit us to enter into the subject at great length ; yet we shall direct his attention 

 to the leading points, and refer him to the best books. 



Chap. I. 

 Of the Study of Systematic Botany. 



1266. Glossology, or the study of the names of the parts of plants, is the first step in 

 this department. 



1267. All the arts and sciences require to express with brevity and perspicuity a crowd of ideas unused in 

 common language, and unknown to the greater part of men. "Whence that multitude of terms, or tech- 

 nical turns, given to ordinary words which the public turn often into ridicule, because they do not feel 

 the use of them, but which all those are obliged to make use of, who apply themselves to any study what- 

 ever. Botany having to describe an immense number of beings, and each of these beings having a great 

 variety of organs, requires a great variety of terms. Nearly all botanists are agreed as to these terms, 

 and in order that they may be universally understood and remain unchanged in meaning, they are taken 

 from a dead or fixed language. 



1268. A plant in flower surveyed externally, may be perceived to be composed of a variety of obvious 

 parts, such as the root, the stein, the branch, the"leaf, the flower, the fruit, and perhaps the seed ; and 

 other parts less obvious, as buds, prickles, tendrils, hairs, glands, &c. These, with their modifications, 

 and all the relative circumstances which enter into the botanical description of a plant, constitute 

 the subject of glossology, or the study of the language of botany. The reader may consult Smith's 

 Introduction to Botany, or almost any recent work on the elements of botanical science. 



1269. Phytography, or the naming and describing qf plants, is the next part of the subject to be considered. 

 Before botany became a regular science, plants were named as individual beings, without regard to any re- 

 lation which they had to one another. But from the great number of names to be retained on the memory, 

 and the obvious affinities existing among certain individuals or natural families, some method was soon 

 found necessary, and it was then deemed requisite to give such composite names as might recal to mind 

 something of the individuals to which they were applied. Thus we have Anagali^flore cceruleo. Mespilus 

 aculeata pyrifolia, &c. In the end, however, the length of these phrases became inconvenient, and Linnaus, 



