PLYMOUTH SOCIETY- 309 



of experience, and he would be very certain to kill the largest 

 half of his patients. We do not, on this account, think science 

 of little or no importance to the physician ; we should esteem 

 it the height of imprudence, to commit the management of the 

 body under disease, to a man, who, rejecting all teachings of 

 science, should ground all his prescriptions exclusively on per- 

 onal experience of the character and progress of disease. 



All theories in the art of agriculture, have been formed from 

 observation and experience. The application of them in prac- 

 tice, will be greatly affected by those numerous changes which 

 are taking place, in the composition of soils, and the variations 

 in seasons. What is the best practice, in a particular location 

 and climate, science alone cannot show us ; and without its 

 aids, experiments would be little more than repetitions of pro- 

 cesses, which altered circumstances should long since have 

 rendered obsolete. Experiments, worthy of any imitation, and 

 worth recording, must embrace philosophical principles. The 

 experimenter may know nothing of system, but his attention, 

 care, and study, have conducted him to conclusions strictly 

 philosophical. 



It is from carefully conducted experiments, we anticipate the 

 most important results, in stimulating inquiry, and giving such 

 new directions to labor, as may conduce to general prosperity. 

 We propose subjects for experiments, which every farmer, in a 

 measure, understands already ; but hope all who engage in the 

 processes, will avail themselves of every attainable assistance, 

 in extending their knowledge, that, with clearer and more com- 

 prehensive views, they may labor more efficiently, and realize 

 greater gains. We wish to place motives before them, to seek 

 new light, and unite, as opportunities are presented, science 

 with practice. 



Several years since, we offered premiums, for experiments to 

 determine the best time to apply manure to mowing fields. 

 This would seem an easy experiment, and the result more cer- 

 tain than in many other cases. Two experimenters, however, 

 came to different conclusions, and it was judged advisable to 

 renew the offers. Unfortunately, these offers have called forth 

 no competition. There is but one applicant, Mr. George W- 



