RATIONAL FERTILIZATION. 185 



enterprising and intelligent in their use of fertilizers than a few 

 years ago ; we need, however, to make systematic experiments at 

 our stations, and not form hasty conclusions from a single trial. 

 Contradictory reports of experiments can be explained by the fact 

 that not all the circumstances are known. 



In reply to a question the Professor said that magnesia is wanted 

 in some soils as well as the three substances before named. Pro- 

 fessor Ville found that wheat would no: form the seed without 

 sufficient magnesia. Magnesia compounds ought to be more 

 generally tested for efficiency. Potash is one of the most impor - 

 tant articles which soils are not generally able to supply, as they 

 can lime and magnesia ; but soils lying on granite rocks containing 

 felspar are not usually deficient in potash. 



The great advantage of barnyard manure and compost is that 

 they contain all the constituents of plant food. But we can do bet- 

 ter than to use these exclusively, and particularl}' when it comes to 

 the quality of the products ; which we can improve by the use of 

 special fertilizers. In one case it is the fruit that is wanted ; 

 in another the flowers. The proportions of sugar, starch, and 

 other constituents can be changed by the judicious use of special 

 fertilizers, and in this direction there is a wide field open for 

 research in future. If we follow Nature we can turn special fertil- 

 izers to account as well as special selections ; one is the work of 

 chemistry, the other of botany. Farmers can carry on experiments 

 in this direction : if one man in a community takes them up others 

 will follow. Farming is an art, chemistry is a science, and they 

 should go hand in hand. To establish a fact requires a full 

 knowledge of all the circumstances of the case. The object of all 

 scientific inquiry in regard to the culture of the soil is to ascer- 

 tain the basis of success. If this is once recognized its adoption 

 is easy. 



Horticulture has a great advantage over agriculture in the means 

 of information which it possesses, owing to the variety of crops 

 with which it deals, while in agriculture the number is few. The 

 less the number of crops raised in any locality the sooner they 

 fail. It takes time for soil to recuperate when exhausted. 



Leguminous plants are preferred for green manure because they 

 root deep and bring fertilizing matter from below to above. Buck- 

 wheat is very nitrogenous and therefore eligible. Plants with large 

 leaves and stems are desirable for this purpose. But we must 



