346 HANDT-BOOK OP HUSBANDRY. 



be, generally current theories, are, unless I am much mistaken, of 

 far more common occurrence than may be known to those who 

 are either naturally unobservant or unacquainted with many of the 

 details of farming operations. Indeed, an interesting and instruc- 

 tive treatise might be written on the apparent anomalies in agri- 

 culture, and a collection of trustworthy facts of the kind alluded 

 to would afford valuable hints to intelligent farmers, and suggest 

 matter for inquiry to chemists and others engaged in scientific 

 pursuits. 



" To me it seems inconsistent with the exercise of common 

 sense, and opposed alike to the whole tenor of a well-regulated 

 mind and the progress of scientific agriculture, to discuss agricul- 

 tural matters in the dogmatic spirit too often so painfully observa- 

 ble when people meet together for the discussion of subjects 

 relating to farm practice ; but still more painful is the spirit which 

 pervades the writings of certain scientific men who are bold 

 enough, from isolated or even a number of analogous facts, to 

 frame general and invariable laws, in accordance with which they 

 propose to regulate the profession of agriculture. That there are 

 certain fixed laws which determine the growth of the meanest herb 

 and the mightiest forest tree, no one can gainsay, but it may well 

 be doubted whether our corn or forage crops would remain as 

 flourishing as they at present are, if, in preference to some pretty 

 theory, the farmers of England suddenly threw aside their past 

 experience, and endeavored to grow corn in accordance with a 

 mathematical formula which men may fancy they have discovered, 

 and by which they may suppose the development of our corn- 

 crops to be governed. Even great men, by taking too general, or, 

 as it is often erringly termed, a comprehensive view of agricultural 

 matters, sometimes totally misrepresent the very law they are 

 endeavoring to establish. 



" The patient investigation of many of these details, with which 

 those only are perfectly familiar whose daily occupation is in the 

 field or in the feeding-stall, is, however, often rewarded by suc- 

 cess. Mysteries which puzzle the minds of intelligent farmers 

 are cleared up, the influences which modify a general rule or prac- 

 tice in farming operations are clearly recognized, and by degrees 

 principles are established, which, assigning the benefits or disad- 

 vantages of a certain course of proceeding to their real cause, 

 must ever tend to confirm the experienced in good practice, 

 and afford valuable hints in guiding those inexperienced in farm 

 management. 



" In the course of a long residence in a purely agricultural dis- 



