30 



My own experiments and observations, which extend over a 

 period of nearly a quarter of a century, lead me to conclude 

 that no fixed formula can be devised which will insure on all 

 lands a good crop of corn, or of any other cereal. No two 

 fields in the state, county or town, or indeed on any large 

 farm, are adapted to like treatment ; we are liable to be misled 

 by these crop formulas. They are asked for and there is a 

 strong temptation to supply them, but they are at best but 

 imperfect guides. I have uniformly raised heavy crops of 

 corn without the use in any instance of animal excrement, 

 but the formulas have been adapted to the ascertained wants 

 of the field, and it is here, gentlemen, where the needs of a 

 higher scientific training for farmers come into view. A culti- 

 vator of the soil must be fitted to observe, to experiment 

 intelligently, to study his own land, before he can secure the 

 highest success in his vocation, or avail himself of the impor- 

 tant benefits which science is capable of affording. 



But I will not detain you longer. It must be obvious to all 

 that the limited scope of a single address is entirely inadequate 

 to a proper discussion of the important subjects to which 1 

 have called your attention. The object has been to awaken 

 thought and discussion, whicR lead to right action, rather than 

 to amuse or instruct. 



We have lived, gentlemen, those of us who are standing 

 near, or upon the threshhold of the unknown life, in the most 

 important and interesting epoch of time known to man since 

 his advent upon our planet. The startling events in the un- 

 folding of the great forces and mysteries of nature, mark our 

 age as singular and wonderful, and the language of our hearts 

 and our lips is, I trust, that of sincere thankfulness for having 

 lived in it. There has been no age when thought, study. 



