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ble barrier, where human sagacity and inquisitiveness are at once re- 

 pelled ; the darkness is intense before, above, and around us, and the 

 mere rush-light, which we hold out to guide us, serves no purpose but 

 to render this darkness visible. Shall we then be discouraged in all 

 attempts at further advancement ? Not at all. It may be indeed that 

 we have reached the end of our line ; and that, until new endowments 

 are bestowed, the mind can soar no higher in its flight. But with equal, 

 nay, with much more reason may we suppose, that the cause of failure 

 is not so much attributable to the limitation or impotence of our faculties 

 to proceed further, as to the imperfection or error of our modes of ap- 

 proach and inquiry. The philosophical mind, valuing truth and knowl- 

 edge as the highest of all attainments, will never rest satisfied with pres- 

 ent acquisitions ; will regard that which is conceivable as knowable ; 

 like a vigilant and skilful officer before a besieged fortress, whose direct 

 approach is precluded, will be continually seeking some private or con- 

 cealed mode of access ; or, like the man in the Scriptures knocking at 

 his neighbor's door at midnight, and hoping presently to be heard for his 

 importunity. 



The immense importance and value of knowledge in this case no 

 sensible man can doubt. If knowledge and science are useful in any art 

 or department of business, why should they not be in agriculture, an art 

 which involves many others, and which in its success combines the in- 

 fluence and operation of more elements than any other ? It is well 

 ascertained that certain plants will grow only in certain situations, and 

 under certain circumstances ; that different soils have different pi-oper- 

 ties, prejudicial to the growth of some plants, favorable to the perfection 

 of others ; in some cases distinguished by an exuberant fertility, in oth- 

 ers by an almost incurable barrenness, but yet in most cases capable of 

 modification, remedy, or improvement ; that the operation of various 

 manures is various ; and that their efficiency or injury depends upon 

 their condition, preparation, or modes of application. It is equally well 

 ascertained, that by some modes of cultivation, double the produce is 

 obtained on the same land that is obtained under a different cultivation, 

 and the land, at the same time, placed under a progressive impi'ove- 

 ment. It is ascertained that by the application of gypsum, or potash, 

 or soda, or salt, or various animal substances, an extraordinary produc- 

 tiveness follows, and the crops are often trebled and quadrupled. How 

 shall we pretend, then, that there is not here the most ample room for 

 the application of science in the resolution of these remarkable facts. 



