[403] SCIENTIFIC MANUAL. 117 



of the soil, application of fertilizers, planting and culti- 

 vation. 



8. Experiments in improving seed by careful selection. 



9. Experiments with different breeds of stock. 



10. Experiments in feeding stock on various combina- 

 tions of food. 



11. Experiments in fertilizing and pruning fruit trees 

 and vines. 



12. Experiments with hedging, as a substitute for rail 

 fences. 



13. Experiments in the production of crops not yet 

 generally cultivated. 



14. Experiments in drainage and irrigation. 



15. Experiments with the small industries of the farm, 

 such as the dairy, poultry, the garden, bees etc. 



The great variety of soil and climate found in Georgia 

 renders it necessary that the same experiment be conducted 

 in various localities, and on every variety of soil. 



Many have fallen into the error of assuming that the re- 

 sults of experiments, conducted under circumstances widely 

 different from those by which they are surrounded, are ap- 

 plicable to their localities. 



Lawes and Gilbert deserve the thanks of the agricultural 

 world for their careful, accurate, interesting, instructive and 

 long continued field experiments, and yet we would err 

 greatly if we accepted many of the results of their research 

 as conclusive in our widely different surroundings. 



Owing to the fact that the principal scientific and experi- 

 mental investigation, and the majority of agricultural pub- 

 lications come to us from Europe and the northern portion 

 of our own country under circumstances of soil arid climate 

 entirely different from our own, our reading agriculturists, 

 following their teachings without the necessary modifica- 

 tions to adopt them to their immediate surroundings, fail 

 to secure the anticipated results. More practical men avail 

 themselves of the reading of their neighbors, apply the in- 



