216 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



may lead astray, and is important only as one step towards the 

 attainment of science. It is not to be trusted, until tested and 

 reduced to positive knowledge. Thus we have had many the- 

 ories, as to the origin of the potato disease, most or all of which 

 have proved useless, by not standing the test of experiment. In 

 order to obtain a knowledge of the laws of agriculture, we must 

 make experiments, or, in other words, question nature. If ques- 

 tioned aright, she will always lend a listening ear, and give a 

 decided response. Thus, would you inquire Avhether or not an 

 exhausted sandy soil contains the necessary elements or pabu- 

 lum for Indian corn; plant your corn, and, in the miniature and 

 sickly crops, you have a negative response, not to be misunder- 

 stood. Theories are only useful, as giving a direction and sys- 

 tem to our inquiries — useful, when so employed, dangerous oth- 

 erwise. Theory ends where science begins ; theory may mislead, 

 science is sure. 



Why should it be thought that a farmer is prepared for his 

 occupation, without a knowledge of those laws of nature, with 

 which he is particularly connected, without a knowledge of the 

 materials upon which and with which he is to act ? Consider 

 the extent and variety of knowledge, which is called into exer- 

 cise in this avocation. As the farmer, at the early spring, sur- 

 veys his lands, and is laying his plans for the coming season, 

 how many questions arise to his mind, upon the determination 

 of which will depend the contingency, whether or not his lands, 

 now barren and naked, shall wave with autumnal harvests. 

 He must consider first the nature of the soil and wheat crop, it 

 is fitted to sustain; and here the whole subject of the analysis of 

 soils and agricultural chemistry, as to the elements of plants, 

 and whence those elements come, whether from the earth or at- 

 mosphere, is presented to his mind. If certain elements are 

 wanting for the sustenance of such a crop as he may determine 

 to cultivate, what substances, or what manures will best supply 

 the deficiency ? How and at what time shall they be applied ? 

 How shall the soil be prepared to receive the seed ; shall it be 

 ploughed deeply or otherwise, and how long before it receives 

 the seed 1 How shall the seed be selected and prepared ; how 

 and at what time shall it be committed to the earth ; in what 



