THE FARMER'S MONTHLY VISITOR. 



63 



AGRICCLTURE INTERROGATIONS. 



What is the number of your horses and mules? 



How many neat cattle have you ? 



How many sheep ? 



How many swine ? 



What is tlie estimated value of your poultry of 

 all kind.'! .' 



How many bushels of wheat did you grow in 

 1830 ? 



How many bushels of barley ? 



How many bushels of oats ? 



Ho'V many bushels of rye ^ 



How many bushels of buckwheat? 



How many bushels of Indian corn ? 



How many pounds of wool .' 



How many pounds of hops ^ 



How many pounds of wax ? 



How many bushels of potatoes? 



How many tons of hay ? 



How many tons of hemp and flax? 



How many pounds of tobacco? 



How many pounds of rice ? 



Plow many pounds of cotton have you gathered ? 



How many pounds of silk cocoona ? 



How many pounds of sn^ar ! 



How many cords of wood have you sold? 



What is the value of the products of your dairy ? 



What is the value of the products of your or- 

 chard ? 



How many gallons of wine have you made ? 



What is th?; value of your home-made or family 

 goods ? 



As intimately connected with these, may be ad- 

 ded those relating to horticulture — which are as 

 follows : 



What was the value of the produce of your mar- 

 ket garden in 1839 ? 



What is the value of the produce of your nurse- 

 ry and green house ? 



It is hoped that editors friendly to the cause of 

 agriculture, or who have renders in the agricultur- 

 al districts, will give a place to the above interro- 

 gations, and invite the attention of those interest- 

 ed, that they may be in readiness with their replies. 

 Let the first effort for an agricultural census of the 

 United States, be met in a manner that sliall ensure 

 the desirable accuracy of the measure. — ftibany 

 Cultivator. 



From the Tf niieseee Farmer. 



Why and because. 



Curiosity is one of the most prominent traits of 

 the human mind. The little urchin, almost with 

 his first words, asks"ic//?/ is this or that ?" And, in 

 riper years, this spirit of enquiry does notecase. — 

 Even the hoarjr headed sire, with his trembling lips, 

 asks ^^ichif ie it ?'' 



To cherish this spirit of enquiry, this rational cu- 

 riosity, is one of the happiest means of diffusmg 

 knowledge, and of causing the great mass of com- 

 munity to be enlightened and intelligent. 



This is the object at which we aim. .As one means 

 of obtaining it, we shall continue a series of articles 

 under the head of '*rr/(y and because.'^ 



All the phenomena of the material world, are ex- 

 plained by the piinciples of Natural Philosophy, 

 (using the term as hereafter defined.) 



We shall first answer a series of queftions de- 

 pending upon the principles of Chemistry. After 

 that we may take up Mechanical Philosophy. Our 

 course will be, first to state and explain the princi- 

 ple, and then propound such questions as are an- 

 swered by it. So that, wlioever follows us through 

 the whole series, will have as good a knowledge of 

 practical Cheinistry, as can bo obtained by a short 

 course of reading without the illustrations of a Lab- 

 oratory. 



For purposes, which may appear hereafter, we 

 •hall preface the whole, by a few definitions. 



1st. Philoscphv. 



The word. Philosophy, is derived from two Greek 

 words, (phileo, [to love,] and sophia, [wisdom,]) 

 and signifies the love of icisdom. It is the general 

 term used to denote the reason of things ; or an in- 

 vestigation of the causes ot all the phenomena of 

 mind or matter. 



Thus, the object of Philosophy is to ascertain 

 facts, or iruths respecting natural olijects. 



The field of Nature is so vast, that no created 

 mind can range through its whole extent. This 

 has led to tlie division of Philosophy into distinct 

 gciences. These are again subdivided into leaser 

 portions, bearing to each other a beautiful and strik- 

 ing resemblance. 



1. That branch of Philosophy, which makes us 

 acquainted with God, is called Thcologij. 



3. That, which treats of man as a moral being, 

 is called Ethics, or Moral Philosophy. 



3. That, which treats of mind, is called Meta- 

 physics, or Intellectual Philosophy. 



4. That, which treats of matter, is called Phys- 

 ics, or JS'nl.ural Philosophy. 



Thus we have the whole range of Philosophy di- 

 vided inio four distinct brandies — the first teach- 

 ing us the existence of an uncreated, eternal, omni- 

 scient, omnipotent, omnipresent, benevolent Be- 

 ing, from natural objects, hence called Katural 

 Theology — the second teaching us our relation to 

 God and each other as moral beings, unfolding to 

 us the immutable principles of right and wrong — 

 the third making us acquainted with that something 

 within us, which thinks and wills, remembers and 

 reasons, loves and hates, hopes and fears, enjoys 

 and suffers, which wo call mind or intellect — the 

 fourth making us acquainted with the laws and 

 phenomena of the material world. 



Physics, or Natural Philosophy, is again subdi- 

 vided into three branches, called JVatural History, 

 Mechanical Philosophy, and Chemical Philosophy. 



TUc first branch, viz : A'utural History, makes us 

 acqu^iinted with the form, structure and habit of 

 natural bodies. This is again divided into Miner- 

 alogy, (including Mineralogy proper and Geolo- 

 gy,) Botany and /^oology. 



1. Mineralogy, makes ns acquainted with the 

 mineral kingdom ; i.e. the form, structure and habit 

 of all unorganized bodies; including, not only the 

 solid parts of the earth, but the loose soil, which 

 we tread, the water we drink and the air we 

 breathe.^ 



2. Botany makes us acquainted with vegetables, 

 i. e., with all bodies having organization, and vital- 

 ity, without the power of voluntary motion. 



3. Zoology makes us acquainted with animals,!, 

 e. with those organized bodies, which have vitality 

 and the power of voluntary motion. 



The second branch, viz. MecJinnical Philosophy, 

 makes us acquainted with the laws, which govern 

 masses of matter. 



The third branch, viz. Chemical Philosophy, 

 makes ns acquainted with the nature and composi- 

 tion of bodies. While Mechanical Philosophy has 

 to do with masses of matter. Chemistry has to do 

 with particles. The former regards change of place, 

 the latter change of character. 



CUEMISTUY. 



1. Definition. Most substances are undergoing 

 a perpetual transmutation in their physical charac- 

 ters. What at one time is soft, at another is hard, 

 or what is hard, becomes soft; what to-day is sweet 

 and palatable, to-morrow is sour, or nauseating ; 

 what is now of pleasant appearance and agreeable 

 odor, soon becomes disgusting and offensive; what 

 is to-day an invisible gas, or floating cloud, or 

 sparkling dew-drop, may to-morrow be a constitu- 

 ent of a tree, a shrub, a flower, a fish, a bird, a 

 beast or a man. These changes, whether natural 

 or artificial, whether gradual or sudden, are purely 

 chemical, and the laws by which they are govern- 

 ed, come under the cognizance of Ciiemical Phi- 

 losophy. 



Thus, Chemistry may be defined as that science 

 which investigates the nature and composition of 

 bodies. 



2. History of Chemistry. Chemistry, as a sci- 

 ence, can scarcely be referred farther back tiian the 

 close of the seventeenth century. Previous to this, 

 wiiat little knowledge had been accumulated, was 

 cloistered with the Alchemist in his vain pursuit of 

 the "philosopher's stone," or his idle dreams of a 

 "grand catholicon."t It is, in (act, less than one 



"All natural bodies are divided into three grand 

 divisions, termed Kingdoms, viz ; The Mi^'ral 

 Kingdom, the Vegetable Kingdom, and the Animal 

 Kingdom. All unorganized bodies are included in 

 the Mineral Kingdom. Hence in the language of 

 science, air and water are minerals. 



tThe Alchem'sfs supposed that the metals vrere 

 only abortive attenips of Nature to make gold and 

 silver ; and that there was a substance which would 

 complete what she had thus begun. To this ima- 

 o-inary power, they gave the name of "Philoso- 

 pher's Stone." They also supposed that there 

 was an antidote for all diseases, and even for age 

 itself This was called the "Panacea," or "Grand 

 Catiiolicon." Another of their visions was the 

 "Alkahest," or "Universal Solvent," by which 

 all bodies could be reduced to their original con- 

 stituents. 



How far removed from the absurdities of the Al- 

 chemist, are those men, who hawk about the coun- 

 try certain nostrums, as cures for all the ills to 

 wliich flesh is heir? Many of the Alchemists had 

 the apology of ignorance for their absurdities. But 

 whether modern quackery is more noted for ignor- 

 ance or impudence, we will not say. 



hundred years, since the science of chemistry litis 

 begun to stand forth disinthralled of the chimeras 

 of Alchemy. 



The establishment of the Academy del Limerto, 

 in IClSI, the Royal Society of London, in 1G60, and 

 tlie Royal Academy of Science of Paris, in 16G6, 

 brought a new era. About this time, the discover, 

 ies of Black, Cavendish, Scheie, and Lavoisier, a- 

 rose as bright stars in the horizon of science. — 

 Since this period, and the adoptioH of the New 

 Nomenclature, discovery has succeeded discovery 

 in quick succession. Among these, none shino 

 with such transcendant brilliancy, as those of the 

 lamented Sir H. Davy. To him, perhaps, more 

 than to any other one man, are we indebted for the 

 application of chemistry to the business of hus- 

 bandry. 



3. Utility of Chemistry. Those sciences are the 

 most interesting and the most profitable, which are 

 the most intimately connected with our ordinary 

 avocations. This being true, the proof is easy, that 

 ivw, if any subjects, (morality aside,) have a more 

 intimate connection with the weal or woe of life, 

 tlian chemistry. We speak here only of its utility 

 to people in the common walks of life. To such, 

 chemical knowledge is useful. 



1st. ".Is a source of wealth." Says Professor 

 Accum, " Agriculture can only be rationally im- 

 proved, by calling in the assistance of ciiemical 

 philosophy; for it is chemistry that explains the 

 phenomena of vegetation, germination, growth, ri- 

 pening and death of plants." It aids the fanner in 

 the selection, preparation tmd apnropriation of his 

 manure, and teaches him the defect or excellence 

 of his soil. It teaches the best mode of preserving 

 animal or vegetable substances for domestic use. — 

 In this and other respects, the Culinary art comes 

 in fir a large share of profit. 



Tlie painter, the potter, the tanner, the brazier, 

 the blacksmith, all carry on their manipulations by 

 the application of chemical principles. 



Chemistry teaches the mason how to temper his 

 cement, and to construct fire-places, furnaces and 

 flues for the production and diffusion of heat; the 

 tanner, the nature of his ingredients ; the black- 

 smith, the brazier and silversmith, the nature and 

 combination of metals ; the painter, the composi- 

 tion and properties, of his colors. There is not a 

 single process, in all the round of Agriculture or 

 Arts, where change of nature is produced, which 

 docs not depend upon the laws of chemical action. 



2nd. A knowledge of chemical principles aids in 

 the preservation of health. 



We do not refer to its utility in the hands of the 

 physician. To him it is as essential as a knowledge 

 of human anatomy. But we speak of its advantage 

 to the farmer and mechanic. 



A little knowledge of the nature and composi- 

 tion of bodies will enable us to avoid a thousand e- 

 yWss resulting from the peculiar state of the ele- 

 ments. By this we are able frequently to meetand 

 disarm contagion in its most terrific forms. It di- 

 rects in the selection of such articles of food and 

 clothing, and such arrangement of apartments as 

 are most conducive to health and comfort. 



3rd. A third and last reason we have for recom- 

 mending the study of chemistry to those in the or 

 dinary avocations of life, is, that while it brings 

 wealth and physical efforts, it opens a vast field for 

 intellectual enjoyment. Professor Accum says: — 



"Chemistry is not only valuable as an art which 

 supplies many of our wants, our comforts and Inx- 

 uries ; its objects are sublime and beautiful in an- 

 other point of view. It removes the veil from the 

 fabric of nature, and makes us acquainted with all 

 the phenomena which happen around us — it affords 

 pleasure to the senses, and calls into action a laud 

 able curiosity, which cliaracterizes the minds of 

 those who are of a scientific turn ; exciting at the 

 same time a spirit of rational inquiry, which is ca- 

 pable of producing the most beautiful and striking 

 phenomena, well calculated to serve as an instruc- 

 tive and rational amusement." 



What farmer would not esteem it a greater pleas- 

 ure, as he walks through his fields, to understand 

 the nature of his soil — the mode of remedying its 

 defects or increasing its excellencies, — the nature 

 of his manure and tlie manner it operates, than to 

 plod on year after year, fallowing blind tradition oi 

 diiar-bought experience ? 



The scientific farmer has his curiosity both a- 

 wakened and gratified. His researches, though 

 limited, have drawn back the curtain, and he has 

 caught now and then a glimpse into Nature's work- 

 shop, and seen things most marvellous. He has 

 seen that the charcoal upon his hearth differs, only 

 in form, from the diamond that sparkles upon the 

 lady's finger, or dazzles in the crown of royalty. 

 He has seen too, that in the little salt-dish upon hia 

 table, there sleeps a lion, which if aroused by chem 



