JOHN P. NORTON'S ADDRESS. 575 



these effects we were to add those which it produces in the 

 soil as a solid, when frozen into ice, or snow, or as a solvent 

 dissolving and carrying away some substances, and often in 

 turn depositing others, we enter another extensive line of inves- 

 tigation, without even then touching upon the fruitful and 

 most important theme of its relations to plants, in their forma- 

 tion, growth, and modes of nutrition. I have I think already 

 said enough to show, that even in this one department there is 

 much already made out by scientific research that is extremely 

 valuable to the practical farmer. 



And yet this is but a mere commencement on the subject of 

 the soil, for many points regarding it have not even been 

 named or alluded to. But I think that my object has been at- 

 tained if I have been able to show that there is something to 

 be learned by scientific investigations, that is of direct practical 

 value. I have made no statements to you that are merely 

 theoretical, that may or may not be true — that are nothing 

 more than probable speculations. I know them to be all true, 

 and entirely susceptible of proof In fact what is most to be 

 desired is, that farmers would institute the most searching in- 

 vestigation into these matters, would set themselves sternly at 

 work to ascertain if such stories as I have told you to-day, are 

 mere inventions or not. If I can once see a man brought to 

 this point, once see him resolved to use every means in his 

 power to get at the truth, I feel sure of him : he will as cer- 

 tainly become more and more a scientific farmer, as the sun 

 will rise to-morrow, — there is no help for him ; the whole sub- 

 ject of the advantage in applying science to agriculture, be- 

 comes so self-evident under examination, becomes so exceed- 

 ingly attractive as well as practical, that I have never yet 

 known a case in which each accession of knowledge, has not 

 served to increase the thirst for more. 



What is it then that I am advocating before you here to- 

 day ? It is simply the application of the full powers of your 

 minds to your own business. The time is passing away when 

 a man can plod through life, ploughing and hoeing, sowing 

 and reaping, feeding and breeding stock just as his fathers have 

 done, without a thought of improving or of reasoning. There 



