AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. 45 



its splendid triumphs, as it thus appears. How readily is the 

 whole face of nature changed, so far as human skill operates 

 upon it. Even Eden must have improved under the fostering 

 care of its temporary lord. " The wildnerness " is made " to 

 blossom as the rose." Wild forests, with their trees and 

 shrubbery, mingled with the decay of former growths, give 

 place to fruitful fields and gardens, or are changed into well 

 cleared groves. Every plant, shrub and tree assume new 

 beauty, when carefully nurtured, according to the laws of their 

 existence. Should the men of two hundred years ago survey tlie 

 localities where they, hardy settlers of our country, first broke 

 the soil, they might indulge in feelings of patriotic pride, and 

 they Avould not be long in discovering the charms of cultivated 

 nature. Although the most fertile portions have only within a 

 recent period, attracted our attention, still the elements of fer- 

 tility have been so combined, as not only to open vast resources 

 of wealth, but also to exhibit the victory of science over the 

 soil. 



Agriculture has built her gorgeous palace in the vegetable 

 kingdom ; but still she receives abundant tribute from other 

 realms. He who like the queen of Sheba — who marvelled at 

 the wisdom of Israel's monarch — would see the wisdom and 

 glory of this noble science, must read the history of geological 

 changes, learn what are the mineral properties of the earth's 

 crust, study the nature of that unseen substance, the air, and 

 even look to the heavens above him, to see those signs " which 

 are set for times and for seasons, and for days and for years." 

 All these treasures are invested in the great enterprise of 

 beautifying and enriching the earth, that she may enrich those 

 who give to her. Animals may subsist on the natural products 

 of the soil, but we have the privilege of so operating in the 

 great laboratory of nature, as to make food suitable for a 

 noble race ; yea, to spread a daintier board for angelic taste, 

 than was prepared when angels talked with men. 



In treating the subject in this connection, we may be allowed 

 to look forward and survey the future. This science, as well 

 as every other, is in a mere transition state. It has by no 

 means arrived at perfection. All its principles, to be sure? 

 exist, but many of them are like hidden ore, reserved for the 

 appropriation of generations yet unborn. When all the laws 



