CONSERVATISM IX SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 47 



men of Eastern Maine that through the investment of a generous 

 sum of money they could accomplish results contrary to all 

 business experience and the best knowledge, and he has found 

 that he did not undertake an easy task. Gradually, to be sure, 

 the agricultural public is becoming emancipated from the disas- 

 trous influence of the schemer, but there is still need that the 

 Experiment Stations and Boards of Agriculture shall hedge about 

 with all possible safeguards that class of workers who lack the 

 expert knowledge necessary for detecting the false. 



No one is infallible, no scientist has attained more than a very 

 incomplete knowledge, and mistakes are a common experience, 

 but we confidently assert that the highest realizations in agricult- 

 ure lie in the conservative yet broadening influence of the 

 scientific effort that is now being exerted in its behalf. 



Discussiox. 



In the course of his lecture Professor Jordan remarked that 

 underlying all practical matters are principles touching matters 

 of investigation and education. oSTo Experiment Station can 

 ever exemplify, in that broad sense which is required, any 

 new principle. Engineers make use of rules. A book of 

 rules might be written which Avould be useful to this man but 

 not to that. 



He had met six or seven hundred Maine farmers, and their ques- 

 tions had not been how to hoe or shovel or rixn a machine, but, What 

 is the reason for this or what is the cause of that ? In a six 

 weeks' winter course, to Avhich any citizen might be admitted, 

 thirteen boys attended, and were as eager for knowledge as the 

 dry earth is for water. We cannot teach them everything, but 

 can stimulate their thirst for knowledge. The course consisted 

 of one hundred and twenty lectures. 



Benjamin P. Ware expressed a sense of appreciation of the 

 lecture. He was glad the professor had recognized the duty of 

 Experiment Stations to protect the farmers. There is a degree 

 of gullibility by which they are often misled ; perhaps Yankees 

 more than any other men hope to get something for nothing. 

 The foundation of Experiment Stations was by reason of the 

 imposition practised by manufacturers of commercial fertilizers. 

 Earmers knew they must have something to add to their means 



