142 



THE GEl^ESEE FARMER. 



gives the best crop of this series, viz : an increase 

 of -33 bushels of ears of corn per acre over the 

 unmanured plot, and 27i over the plot manured 

 with 20 loads of barn-yard dung. The 400 lbs. of 

 "Cancerine" — an artificial manure made in New 

 Jersey from fish— gives a total increase of 28 bush- 

 els of ears per acre over the unmanured plot, and 

 12|- bushels more than that manured with barn- 

 vard dung, though 5 bushels of ears of sound corn 

 and 10 bushels of "Nubbins" per acre less than 

 the same (piantity of Peruvian guano. 

 Hochester, N. Y. Feb. Stii, 1858. JOSEPH IIAKPJ&. 



ASEERICAN AGHICULTTJEAL BOOKS. -No. 2. 



JoJiUSton's Agrictlltural Chemistry* consists, for 

 the most part, of a number of lectures delivered 

 before an agrioulttiral society in Scotland. They 

 were addressed to practical farmers, most of whom 

 possessed no knowledge of scientific Chemistry or 

 Geology. They commence, therefore, with the 

 discussion of those elementary principles which are 

 necessary to a proper understanding of each branch 

 of the subject. To a young farmer who is desirous 

 of studying chemistry and geology as applied to 

 practical agriculture, this boOTs: particularly com- 

 mends itself. It contains 018 pages, with an ap- 

 pendix of 90 pages, containing suggestions for 

 experiments in practical agriculture, with results of 

 experiments made in 1841-2-3. It is divided into 

 four parts. Part I. is devoted to the orgjihic ele- 

 ments, (oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon,) 

 their nature and sources, and to an explanation of 

 the mode in which they become converted into the 

 substance of plants; Part II., to the inorganic ele- 

 ments of plants, comprehending the study of the 

 soils from which these elements are derived, and 

 the general relations of geology to agriculture; 

 Part III., to the various methods, mechanical and 

 chemical, by which the soil may be improved, and 

 especially to the nature of manures; Part IV-., to 

 the results of vegetation, to the kind and value of 

 the food produced under different circumstances, 

 and its relation to the growth and feeding of cattle, 

 and to the amount and quality of dairy produce. 



It is a work of great value — a monument of the 

 industry of its lamented author. Like all popular 

 treatises on scientific subjects, it is not free from 

 errors; yet, on the whole, we Icnow of no work 

 that we can so confidently recommend to the young 

 student of agricultural chemistry and geology. 



A new edition of this work, containing many 

 important additions and con-ections, has been pub- 

 lished in England. We hope Mr. Moore may be 

 induced to republish this last edition, or perhaps 

 give usithe new matter in the form of an addendum. 



*XectureB «n the Applications of Chemistry and Geology to 

 Agriculture. i!5y Jas. P. W, Jousston. New York: A. O. 

 IMooBE. Priae ^1.25. 



Johnston's Elements of AgrieuUural Chemistry 

 and Geology* is a simpler and more practical treat- 

 ise than the above. Subjects which in the Lectures 

 are fully discussed and their rationale explained, 

 are here taken for granted or but briefly noticed. 

 Published in 1852, it is a more recent work than 

 the Lectures, and contains uiany facts in regard to 

 the composition of soils, manures, and the varioiiS 

 crops grown on a farm, not to be found in that 

 work. Unlike the Lectures., it is also provided 

 with an excelltixt index (for which we are indebted 

 to the American editor) which is very valuable for 

 reference. 



The Elements should be read before the Lectures, 

 The numerous facts mentioned in the former book 

 will stimulate the intelligent student to seek for an 

 explanation — for the o'ationale. This he will be 

 likely to find in the Lectures. Take the following 

 extract as an exampfe of the style and' character of 

 the book : 



"Common salt has, in- many districts, a fertil- 

 izing influence upon the soil. It destroys small 

 weeds ; improves the quality of pastures, and ren- 

 ders them more palatable ; strengthens and bright- 

 ens the straw, and makes the gi-ain- heavier per 

 bushel both for wheat and oats." 



In the Lectures, pages 345-7, the experiments on 

 which these conclusions are based are given in 

 detail, together with some reasons for the effect of 

 common salt as a manure. 



Few if any agricultural writers equal JonwsTOW 

 in depth and compass of thought, or in clearness 

 and vigor of style. He was a most extensive, varied, 

 and profound reader, and his writings abound with 

 many curious, interesting, and useful facts. "Who 

 but he would think of illustrating his subject with 

 facts derived from Moses the lawgiver, Mohl the 

 physiologist, and Mofpat the missionary ? 



Johnston's hastily written and. in many respects,, 

 inaccurate "Notes on North America" were ill- 

 calculated to increase Iris scientific reptitation in 

 this country. For the purpose of encouraging the 

 Britidi fanner under the removal of protective 

 duties on foreign grain, he was led to underrate the 

 wheat-producing character of the land in this 

 comitry. His opinion on such a subject, if care- 

 fully formed, would deserve attention, and it was 

 hailed with pleasure by the free trade party in 

 England. The British farmers were afraid of direct 

 competition -^vith America, and Prof. Johnston 

 told them they had nothing to fear — that the soil 

 was not well adapted to grow wheat and that 

 American agriculture was a hundred years behind 



* Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology. By James 

 F. W. Johnston. AVith a complete Index and American Pre^ 

 lace, by Simon JIp.owx, editor of the Kew England Farmer. 

 New York: A. 0. Mooke. Price $1. 



