CHAPTER III. 



THE KEY-NOTE OF GOOD FARMING. 



The teachings of agricultural chemistry and of vegetable physi- 

 ology are very much less positive now than they were fifteen years 

 ago, concerning many matters of very great importance to the farmer. 

 The old idea of the practical value of soil analysis exploded long 

 ago, and it shook the very foundations of "Book J'arming." 



Still, there are many things that are positively known — proven 

 by simple and unmistakable evidence — that are of practical value, 

 yes, of vital consequence. Many other things we are led to 

 believe are undoubtedly true, and we know are of great importance, 

 but their positive proof lies, thus far, among the hidden processes 

 of nature's workshops, waiting the day when a keener-eyed science 

 than ours shall unfold them. Thus far we can only draw infer- 

 ences from them — valuable inferences, it is true, but not yet 

 absolute rules. 



To enter upon the discussion of these facts and inferences, so 

 as to develop their full influence in agriculture, would compel me 

 to entirely change the purpose of my work. I can only touch 

 upon a few fundamental truths which lie at the root of the great 

 economies of our art. 



I desire, at the outset, to disclaim all sympathy with the popular 

 outcry against theory^ believing that agricultural writers have done 

 much harm by catering to the prejudice on which this outcry is 

 based. Theory is a correct statement of the principles by which 

 any effect is produced; it is a recognition of unchangeable laws, 

 and is as necessary to the farmer who grows Indian corn, as it is 

 to the mechanic who makes the mill by which corn is ground. 



