124 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



channels of science to the investigation of the capacities and 

 necessities of soils and crops. But we cannot forget the thou- 

 sand valuable facts which can be obtained only from those who 

 have hardened their hands in the practical pursuits of agricul- 

 ture. The paleness of the laboratory may be very well in its 

 place, but the flush of the field comes with its many claims for 

 attention, comes as one with authority. There are many facts 

 in scientific agriculture, interesting enough in themselves, but 

 having little to do with the great work of agriculture as a 

 branch of business. All the science in the world would not 

 teach us that salt is a good manure for asparagus, and were it 

 not for experience, perhaps empirical in itself, the gardener 

 might wait forever without discovering the best mode of raising 

 this valuable esculent. Physiology and anatom}'' are two highly 

 interesting branches of medical science, but let me ask any one 

 if a learned dissertation on the structure and functions of the 

 liver, would be of any service to him were he shaking to pieces 

 with an attack of fever and ague, which experience teaches him 

 quinine alone will cure ? And yet all the physiology and anat- 

 omy in the world, would never teach mankind that quinine is a 

 specific in fever and ague — no more would all the chemical 

 analyses that ever puzzled and mystified the most diligent stu- 

 dent, teach us that salt is good for a bed of asparagus. Liebig 

 might discourse from the winter to the summer solstice upon 

 the relations between manures and soils ; upon phosphates and 

 super-phosphates ; upon silex and ammonia and carbon, and the 

 long list of salts, and we might all sit and listen while the spring 

 months were flying away from us, but could he tell us whether 

 to sow our carrots early or late ; whether we should manure 

 our potatoes in the hill or broadcast ; whether barnyard manure 

 or muscle beds will give us the best onions ; whether we should 

 plough our grass lands in the autumn or spring ; where we 

 should plant our squashes, and where our corn and our carrots; 

 how to put in our seed so as to secure the most abundant har- 

 vest ? We may listen day after day, to the botanical lore of the 

 enthusiastic Gray, but while we listen, will not his triticum 

 repens, better known among us farmers, as twitch grass, choke 

 our fields, for all tlie knowledge he can give us with regard to 

 its eradication ? The learning of Agassiz may enable him to 

 tell us the very year in the world's existence, when in the classes 



