AGRICULTURE, 139 



were, so as to maintain on it ' millions ' where otherwise 

 ' thousands ' could not exist, that marvellously wise dispen- 

 sation of Providence in the Creator's gift of the soil to 

 man, to the end that he might multiply and live — ' live 

 by the sweat of his brow.' 



The science of Agriculture teaches us how to make the 

 best use of this gift, how to till, sow, and multiply pro- 

 ducts ; and the sciences of Chemistry, Physiology, and 

 otliers in relation with agriculture, demonstrate the phy- 

 sical connexion of aU matter, the identity of matter in all 

 composite things living or growing ; as also its indestruc- 

 tibility. 



We learn, by means of these, that from the soil and the 

 atmosphere, all tilings that grow and live have a common 

 origin ; what their composition is ; as also the course of 

 construction or organisation. 



We know, from these, the composition of plants and of 

 all hving things or beings, and the conditions under which 

 they live and thrive ; we learn from these the composi- 

 tion of soil, the properties which it possesses in relation 

 to vegetation, and, by consequence, what increases or 

 diminishes its productiveness; also the atmospheric and 

 cosmic iniluences which are agents in formation, hfe, 

 growth, and their operation. 



Let us trace, as briefly as possible, the connexions of 

 some of these things, and the origin of others. 



The action of the ' waters of the earth ' is that of a 

 constant disintegration, and the atmosphere, the winds, 

 rains, fire, and frost, labour to the same end.* Eocks of 

 every variety are formed from substances that have had 



• The detailed processes of ocean deposits, volcanic action, the avalanche, 

 the iceberg, the formation of different strata of rock, the accumu- 

 lations of Mollusca, &c. &c. ; vegetable, animal, and mineral deposits and 

 formations — lime, coal, salt, and metals — belong to other branches of 



