XH INTRODUCTION. 



that science which he had at one time so obstinately rejected. 

 It was fortunate that the extraordinary progress of Chemistry, 

 and especially of Organic Chemistry,* enabled the chemist 

 to investigate these important subjects, and to explain in 

 a satisfactory manner the cause of the discordant results 

 which attended the use of appHcations for the improvement 

 of the soil. In this department of Agi'iculture the most 

 valuable services have been rendered by Chemistry ; and we 

 may confidently anticipate, now that those who are interested 

 in the cultivation of the soil are becoming fully aware of its 

 intimate connexion with their pursuits, that it will lead to 

 important improvements in the practice of Agriculture ; and, 

 by making the farmer acquainted with the nature of the 

 materials upon which he has to operate, enable him to 

 increase the produce of his farm, and introduce greater 

 economy in the use of the manm-es employed in maintaining 

 its productiveness. The investigation of the materials which 

 enter into the composition of the plants cultivated by the 

 farmer, and also of the soils in which they are produced in 

 perfection, and of those which are distinguished by their 

 unproductive character, has for several years been vigorously 

 TU'osecuted by some of the most eminent chemists of Europe, 

 and even already from these labours the most beneficial results 

 have been derived. Amongst those whose researches have 

 been most successful, we must assign the fii^st place to that 

 distinguished German philosopher. Baron Liebig of the 

 University of Giessen, whose writings have contributed in so 

 great a degree to direct the attention of the agricultural body 

 both in England and in this country, to the important 

 advantages to be derived from the application of scientific 

 knowledge to their pursuits. 



It is, however, only in England and Scotland that im- 

 })roved mechanical means and scientific knowledge have, to 

 any extent, been applied to the improvement of the soil. I 

 am glad to admit that the knowledge of the art of agricultm-e 

 is, in many parts of this kingdom, rapidly progressing; but 

 it is too true that in very few districts have the dormant 

 energies of the soil been as yet called into proper activity by 



* Organic chemistry is that department of science which investigates 

 the composition of the parts of animals and vegetahles, and of the 

 various substances produced under the influence of life. 



