308 HAMPSHIRE SOCIETY. 



growth of plants. Yet certain substances, if not contained in 

 the soil, must be supplied to it in the form of manure. The 

 question then arises, what does the soil contain ? and what are 

 the substances contained in the component parts of the ma- 

 nure ? Here we have to acknowledge our ignorance and inca- 

 pacity to judge of the defects of our soils, or even to prescribe 

 a systematic remedy, or to analyze and separate the parts of 

 either soil or manure. Until these points are satisfactorily de- 

 termined, a rational system of agriculture cannot exist. Now, 

 how shall these differences of cultivation on similar soils be 

 fully and satisfactorily reconciled ? What quantity of manure 

 shall w^e apply to obtain a full crop at the least expense ? 

 What fertilizers act upon the soil, and what upon the crops? 

 And how much is to be charged to the account for circum- 

 stances ? We do not hesitate to say, and fully believe, that 

 when the minds of the agriculturist, the chemist, and the phy- 

 siologist, are brought to bear upon this subject unitedly, for the 

 complete solution of these questions, then, and not till then, 

 will a beginning have been made. Let there be some reliable 

 facts, seme leading and well established principles, approved 

 and practised upon by scientific men, whose sole object is to 

 advance the farming interest by establishing a rational and 

 well founded system of agriculture. Then the farmer will be 

 enabled to prosecute his business by well tried and fixed rules, 

 in full confidence of success. The laws of nature better un- 

 derstood and obeyed, we shall then better understand how to 

 feed hungry plants, in order to obtain a full and perfect de- 

 velopment of all their parts, and to prepare our soils and com- 

 post our manures with reference to the particular crops. With 

 a system of well digested and practical rules, we shall be en- 

 abled to work with cheerfulness, and to secure more bountiful 

 returns. 



The Hampshire Agricultural Society embraces a territory 

 that will not suffer in comparison with any other in the State, 

 of its extent. Its leading interests are agricultural. The farm- 

 ers are industrious, intelligent, and active, and are increasing 

 in wealth in two ways. One way is, to make two acres out 

 of one ; the other is, to add one to one, and thus make two. 

 The former is generally the most productive of good to the 

 community. Let us be understood. Some farmers in the 



