INTRODUCTION. 13 



Again in the second Georgic we have evidence that they 

 studied the nature of, and adapted various crops to different 

 qualities of soils. 



" Now learn the soils, the nature of each field, 



What fruits their varying strength and virtue yield; 

 Know first, the ungenial hill and barren land, 

 Where sterile beds of hungry clay expand, 

 And thorns and flints deface the rugged earth, 

 Demand the long lived plants palladian birth." 



In the other three Georgics we learn that the Romans 

 understood horticulture, gardening, the management of do- 

 mestic animals and bees, and the extermination of noxious 

 weeds and insects. Limited as were their mechanical means, 

 and their knowledge of chemistry, geology and botany, still 

 their skill and success would seem to exceed that of agricultu- 

 rists of the present day ; and in fact we may almost believe 

 that the practical knowledge of farming has retrograded since 

 that time. If this is the case, it cannot be because science 

 has been detrimental to modern practice, but is rather owing 

 to their close observation of nature, and their attentive indus- 

 try. It is no argument against the art of culture being 

 conducted on scientific principles : the success of practical men 

 is due to the discovery and carrying out of these principles, 

 although they may be ignorant of them, and may not recog- 

 nize them as such. The idea that the farmer requires nothing 

 but practice and experience to ensure success, is as erroneous 

 as to suppose the school teacher requires no knowledge of 

 arithmetic or grammar. Not a blade of grass can be made to 

 grow without perfect conformity to the laws of nature, and 

 still the farmer arrogates to himself the credit of success in an 

 operation, the philosophy of which he neither does, nor desires 

 to understand. 



The failures of practical men in attempting to apply some 

 new principle, are owing to want of knowledge and skill in 

 combining science with practice, and not to any discrepancy 



2 



