OF AGRICULTURE. 33 



Davy says : — 



1 Nothing is more wanting in agriculture than ex- 

 periments in which all the circumstances are minutely 

 and scientifically detailed. This art will advance 

 with rapidity in proportion as it becomes exact in its 

 methods. As in physical researches, all the causes 

 should be considered ; a difference in the results may 

 be produced, even by the fall of a half-inch of rain 

 more or less in the course of a season, or a few degrees 

 of temperature, or even by a slight difference in the 

 subsoil, or in the inclination of the land.' 



* Information collected after views of distinct in- 

 quiry, would necessarily be fitted for inductive reason- 

 ing, and capable of being connected with the general 

 principles of science ; and a few histories of the re- 

 sults of truly philosophical experiments in agricultural 

 chemistry would be of more value in enlightening and 

 benefiting the farmer, than the greatest possible accu- 

 mulation of imperfect trials, conducted merely in the 

 empirical spirit.' 



1 It is from the higher classes of the community, 

 from the proprietors of land, — those who are fitted by 

 their education, to form enlightened plans, and by 

 their fortunes, to carry such plans into execution ; it 

 is from these that the principles of improvement must 

 flow to the labouring classes of the community ; and 

 in all classes the benefit is mutual ; for the interest of 

 the tenantry must be always likewise the interest of 

 the proprietors of the soil.' 



* Discoveries made in the cultivation of the earth 

 are not merely for the time and country in which they 

 are developed, but they may be considered as extend- 

 ing to future ages, and as ultimately tending to benefit 

 the whole human race ; as affording subsistence for 

 generations yet to come ; as multiplying life ; and not 



D 



