C 23 ] 



wheat crops, and calcareous soils produce excellent 

 sain-foin and clover. 



Nothing is more wanting in agriculture, than ex- 

 periments in which all the circumstances are minutely 

 and scientifically detailed. This art will advance with 

 rapidity in proportion as it becomes exact in its 

 methods. As in physical researches all the causes 

 should be considered ; a difference in the results may 

 be produced, even by the fall of a half an inch of rain 

 more or less in the course of a season, or a few de- 

 grees of temperature, or even by a slight difference in 

 the sub-soil, or in the inclination of the land. 



Information collected after views of distinct en- 

 quiry, would necessarily be more accurate, and more 

 capable of being connected with the general principles 

 of science ; and a few histories of the results of truly 

 philosophical experiments in agricultural chemistry, 

 would be of more value in enlightening and benefitting 

 the farmer, than the greatest possible accumulation of 

 imperfect trials, conducted merely in the empirical 

 spirit. It is no unusual occurence for persons who 

 argue in favour of practice and experience, to con- 

 demn generally all attempts to improve agriculture by 

 philosophical enquiries and chemical methods. That 

 much vague speculation may be found in the works of 

 those who have lightly taken up agricultural chemis- 

 try, it is impossible to deny. It is not uncommon to 

 find a number of changes rung upon a string of tech- 

 nical terms, such as oxygene, hydrogene, carbon, and 

 azote, as if the science depended upon words, rather 

 *han upon things. But this is in fact an argument for 



