1S46.J Theory uf Agriculture. 3 



kind ; that is, of a class properly denominated speculators, who 

 never take the trouble to substantiate their views by facts. In 

 agriculture bare speculations are always to be deprecated, or 

 at least to be considered useless, for it is a complicated science, 

 involving considerations and subjects of a complex nature ; 

 and even when interrogated by well conducted experiments, 

 the mysteries of vegetable physiology are rarely fully removed. 

 This admitted, however, it does not render it improper to form 

 judgments expressive of our belief; especially where they are 

 based on observation and experiment : and even when these 

 fail, analogy holds out important lights by which we may 

 form at least rational hypotheses, provided a common sense 

 view of the matter in question is taken : and we are more 

 secure from error the closer our opinions conform to the simpli- 

 city of nature. This course is especially the true one, where 

 different opinions are entertained by distinguished men, for 

 past experience proves that truth is more likely to be found 

 upon that side which is the simplest, and where the main 

 points lie nearest to a straight line. 



Complexity, then, so far from being an objection to the use 

 of that function of the mind which is termed theorizing, it is 

 upon those very subjects that we shall derive the most advan- 

 tage — and which needs it the most. It is this view of the 

 subject which induces us to offer to our readers the theory of 

 agriculture, which we have been led to adopt — views founded 

 partly upon the experiments and observations of others, and 

 partly upon facts wliich we ourselves have observed. 



Our creed is not, however, set forth as above attack, or with- 

 out fault. All we would claim for it, is an approximation to 

 the true. We do, however, entertain the hope that we shall 

 advance to a true theory, which we doubt not, for ourselves, is 

 a great desideratum in agriculture. We are constrained to en- 

 tertain such a belief, both from what Ave know of the intellect, 

 and from its achievements in science. It is here that we have 

 a promise of a better day. We may look with pleasure at what 

 has been done in astronomv. as an indication of what may yet 



