20 MR. MOSELEY S ADDRESS. 



firmatlve of this question ; but opposed to these opinions may 

 probably be found most of the scientific and practical agricul- 

 turalists of the present day. Doctor Dean and Colonel Pick- 

 ering, men of great experience, practical knowledge and accu- 

 rate observation, consider these notions of the moon's influence 

 as visionary. There are certain operations of the moon upon the 

 earth, which are obvious and admitted by all. It affords us 

 light by night, it turns the earth in some degree from its el- 

 liptical orbit, it occasions a small oscillation in the earth's ax- 

 is, it causes the ebbing and flowing of the sea, and a like effect 

 upon the atmosphere. But heat, which is the cause of veg- 

 etation, has never yet been discovered in the collected rays of 

 light from the moon. Experiments, made at the Royal Obser- 

 vatory in Paris, have proved, that the light of the moon conden- 

 sed by a powerful lens, had no effect whatever in altering chem- 

 ical products, though very sensibly and easily affected by the 

 light of the sun. Another fact is, that the most opposite 

 weather in different parts, take place at the same instant of 

 time, and of course under the same phases of the moon. 



It was probably from opinions prevalent in the days of Solo- 

 mon of certain influences in the heavens, that he was led to make 

 the mild rebuke. He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and 

 he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 



I now come to a topic, which, although more immediately con- 

 nected with the department of horticulture, is still within the ob- 

 jects of this society. I refer to the cultivation of fruit trees. — 

 We are told that man, in his primeval state, as he came fresh from 

 the hands of his creator, and, arrayed in purity and innocence, 

 was placed in a garden of fruits to dress and to till it. This em- 

 ployment, so congenial to the purity and perfection of his original 

 character, has lost nothing of its favorable influence in leading the 

 mind to virtue and happiness. 



It has often been a matter of surprise to me, that the attention 

 of our farmers has been so little directed to the cultivation of 

 fruits, and especially, when we consider, tliat they are strongly 

 urged to a consideration of this subject, by every motive of profit, 

 health and pleasure. There is nothing whch a farmer can raise 



