MR. GRAY S ADDRESS. 7 



tific iren and practical farmers, conducted under every 

 variety of soil and climate, were not only useless, but 

 just subjects of contempt; or as if an accurate knowledge 

 of the laws of reproduction in the animal and vegetable 

 kingdoms could be of no possible use to those whose 

 whole success in their profession must be in proportion 

 to their strict conformity to those laws. 



It must be confessed, however, that there is much 

 discrepancy among scientific men, on many of the theo- 

 ries which pertain to the subject. Many of the prin- 

 ciples do not seem to be well settled, and there is some 

 ground for the prejudice which I have noticed. But 

 this fact does not invalidate the position which we have 

 assumed. So far as Agriculture is not yet capable of 

 being based on scientific truth, so far its progress must 

 be retarded and we must direct our efforts to the estab- 

 lishment of those principles which are yet in doubt. 



But there are many principles well settled. The 

 great majority of truths which are applicable to the 

 subject are well established. It is true that they are 

 not well collected and arranged; they are scattered 

 and need classification; but then enough is known to 

 give direction and permanency to the modes of culture 

 in all their prominent features, and if generally under- 

 stood and applied, to increase in a rapid ratio the pro- 

 ductions of the soil. 



Mineralogy and Geology furnish us with many import- 

 ant principles relating to the origin and composition of 

 soils. Chemistry teaches us how to improve them, as 

 well as explains to us the changes which take place in 

 the processes of vegetation, and hence points out those 

 conditions which are requisite for the most perfect 

 growth and maturity of vegetables. It also instructs us 

 in the best modes of preserving the various vegetable 

 and animal productions, and enables us to understand 

 their properties and uses. 



Botany makes us acquainted with the structure and 

 habits of various species of plants, and aids us in deter- 

 mining what soils to select and what mode of treatment 

 will be crowned with the most certain success. 



