112 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



machinery for tilling the soil, and preparing its products for the 

 use of both man and beast ; our beautifully perfected breeds 

 of cattle, and other domestic animals ; — all these show what 

 may be accomplished by continued efforts skilfully conducted. 

 And yet between these two extremes, what farmer is there who 

 will not admit, from year to year, an uncertain amount of loss 

 of labor, strength and time, which are his capital, by uot know- 

 ing exactly the best way to accomplish certain results, or if 

 knowing, by inability of one kind or another, failing to carry 

 out what his knowledge suggests should be done. 



How many farmers are there, who thoroughly understand 

 the nature of the different soils of their farms, of which 

 there are several, if the farm is of an average size ? In high 

 farming this is regarded as an essential, prime condition — a 

 necessity to be understood, both for the crops to be grown, and 

 the beasts to be kept ; on the character and effect of the food 

 for animals. How many farmer* know the character of the 

 underlying subsoil, and the untold values in it, whether most 

 profitably brouglit to the surface and spread, or stirred beneath, 

 or left in its normal condition ? How many farmers are there 

 who know the true depth at which to apply manures ? How 

 many who know and pursue the most judicious rotation of 

 crops ? how many who can tell the absolute value of different 

 manures ? 



What we want is a more general diffusion of knowledge, 

 more careful and systematic observations and experiments, 

 with accurate and methodical reports, from which as data we 

 might be able to deduce some laws to guide us. 



There are especially some sciences, with which we as farmers, 

 ought to hold a large acquaintance, Geology, Botany, Physiol- 

 ogy, and Chemistry. It is not meant that we should be pro- 

 fessors in all these sciences, but that the more we know of them, 

 and can combine with our practical knowledge, the more skilful 

 farmers we shall make. Geology teaches us that our soils are 

 rocks ground into powder, and mixed with animal or vegetable 

 matter ; it teaches the character of our rocks, the lay of our 

 land beneath the surface, as well as above, the nature and 

 capacity of our soils and sul)soils. 



From Botany we derive all our knowledge of trees and plants, 

 what are most suitable for food for man or beast ; it has taught 



