34 THE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES 



only multiplying life, but likewise providing for its 

 enjoyment/ 



Liebig said : — * I shall be happy if I succeed in 

 attracting the attention of men of science to subjects 

 which so well merit to engage their talents and 

 energies. Perfect agriculture is the true foundation 

 of all trade and industry — it is the foundation of 

 the riches of states. But a rational system of agri- 

 culture cannot be formed without the application of 

 scientific principles ; for such a system must be based 

 on an exact acquaintance with the means of nutri- 

 tion of vegetables, and with the influence of soils and 

 actions of manure upon them. This knowledge we 

 must seek from chemistry, which teaches the mode 

 of investigating the composition and of studying the 

 characters of the different substances from which 

 plants derive their nourishment.' 



* Since the time of the immortal author of the 

 "Agricultural Chemistry" (Davy) no chemist has oc- 

 cupied himself in studying the application of chemical 

 principles to the growth of vegetables, and to organic 

 processes. I have endeavoured to follow the path 

 marked out by Sir Humphrey Davy, who based his 

 conclusions only on that which was capable of in- 

 quiry and proof. This is the path of true philo- 

 sophical inquiry, which promises to lead us to truth 

 — the proper object of our research.' 



The importance which Professor Daubeny attached 

 to field-experiments, is evidenced in the facts that, at 

 a very early period of his connection with the study 

 and teaching of the principles of Rural Economy, he 

 instituted the experiments on Rotation, in the Botanic 

 Garden, already referred to ; and that subsequently, 

 I believe in i860, he bequeathed to his successors 

 in the Chair a piece of ground of about one and a 



