84 WIDE FIELD OF RURAL EXPERIMENT. 



IV. Experiments with waste substances of various kinds, 

 and with the refuse of manufactories. 



V. Experiments on seeds, cultivated crops, and trees. 

 VI. Experiments on the destruction of insects, weeds, and 

 parasites. 



VII. Experiments in manuring and improving the soil, and in 

 reference to the suggestions which may be derived from chemical 

 analysis. 



VIII. Suggestions regarding the manufacture of artificial 

 manures, and the mode of testing their value by experiment. 



IX. Experiments on the general treatment and feeding of 

 animals. 



X. Experiments on dairy husbandry, on the making of 

 cheese and butter, and on the management of wool. 



XI. Experiments on theoretical chemistry and physiology in 

 their application to agriculture. 



In the present state of scientific agriculture, and especially 

 considering the unsettled position it still occupies in public opinion, 

 such theoretical researches only ought to be undertaken as have 

 an immediate and obvious practical bearing upon rural economy. 

 There are, at this moment, abundance of such inquiries to occupy 

 the full attention of all our agricultural chemists for many years 

 to come. To these I shall draw attention from time to time, 

 but in this last part of my observations they will come promi- 

 nently forward. 



The consideration of the several departments of practical and 

 scientific agriculture above enumerated, will lead me over nearly 

 all the debateable ground of this department of applied science ; 

 and, while it will show how very much remains to be done, will 

 also, I hope, stimulate not a few persons to lend their aid in 

 completely subduing and colonising it. 



1. General objects or aims of field experiments. 



The aim or object of the field experimenter is different 

 according as his views are altogether practical, or combine 

 theoretical with practical investigation. The practical man 

 inquires into such points as these, 



