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supply some defect in the soil has not been used, that some 



divisor, some composting of such, necessary to constitute a 



suitable nourishment for plants, has been neglected. 



The chemist in his labaratory acts with powers with which he is 



familiar, that may be defined by weight or measures, and he can 



foretell with certainty, the effects of the addition or subtraction of 



any ingredient in any specified compound, but in the application 



of the principles of his science to the purposes of agriculture, 



the powders with which he acts, may be influenced or controlled, 

 by the vital forces of the objects upon which he operates, and the 



most under such circumstances to be expected, the most perhaps 



to be hoped, is not to find out the secret processes of nature, and 



obtain control over her whole domain, but with patience and 



perseverance, by slow degrees some insight into her mysteries — . 



Acting upon living organisms, — & thus as it were face to face 



with creative energy. " Science must pale its ineffectual fires " — 



If those who indulge in brilliant anticipations, as to the benefits 

 to be derived from Science, in agricultural practice, are unreason- 

 able in their expectations, they surely are not less so, who would 

 wholly reject its aids ; and whether the teachings and deductions 

 of Scientific Theory are, or are not, in all cases confirmed by 

 practical experience, no one who aims at being an accomplished 

 Farmer, can with safety remain ignorant of the principles as 

 established, of Vegetable Physiology, or disregard in practice the 

 teaching of Agriculural Chemistry. 



As I have already said, the agriculture of a wide extent of 

 country, will be controlled by the operation of various causes, 

 general in their character, and so that of a limited extent will be 

 affected by those of a local nature, and restricted in their opera- 

 tions. The only crops that can be relied upon with safety by the 

 Farmer, to produce a remunerative price, or of which a sale can 

 always be confidently expected, are the great staple products of 

 agriculture, and such must to a great extent occupy his attention. 

 The great improvements in the modes of intercommunication, not 

 only between different parts of our own country, but also between 



