EXPERIMENTS SHOULD BE EXTENSIVELY MADE ? 79 



There are many applications which are fitted to produce, in 

 most countries, effects quite equal to those produced by gypsum, 

 and it is desirable that, by numerous trials, the value and 

 influence of such substances, in each locality, should be esta- 

 blished and made widely known. 



2. Is it desirable for the science itself? I have already stated 

 that, according to my views, the progress of scientific agriculture 

 is to be greatly promoted by the introduction of a more general, 

 and at the same time a more cautious and more exact system of 

 rural experimenting throughout the whole country. Important 

 practical facts will be brought out, opinions will be tested, re- 

 ceived theories corrected, and the suggestions of hypothesis put 

 to the trial. The science will also be advanced by the greater 

 interest it will awaken, and the more numerous cultivators it 

 will attract. The general esteem for a study, and the degree 

 of attention bestowed upon those who prosecute it, are always 

 important elements in securing for it a larger amount of talent 

 and energy, and a more rapid advance. 



3. But is it desirable, for the farmer ? Intellectually con- 

 sidered, we have already seen that it is highly so, as it will im- 

 part a new interest to the ordinary routine of his farming ope- 

 rations; and by calling forth thought, and leading to inquiry and 

 discussion, will gradually elevate the class to which he belongs. 



But, as a matter of profit, such experiments are deserving 

 the attention of the rent-paying farmer. They cannot be a 

 source of loss, because rightly (that is prudently) conducted, ex- 

 periments will always, on the whole, more than repay the ex- 

 pense of making them and no prudent man ought to begin his 

 experiments on such a scale that he would suffer any material 

 injury were they to fail altogether. 



I may instance some of the results obtained by Mr Fleming 

 of Barochan, as showing how much crops may be increased, at 

 a cheap rate, by the careful experimenter. 



Thus, three successive crops of potatoes, oats, and hay, in 

 1842, '43, and '44, on two parts of a field, treated the one with 

 farm-yard manure alone, the other with farm-yard manure 

 mixed with other substances, gave the following economical 

 results : 



