81 



again, if any thing has been effected, yet, if nothing has been meas- 

 ured, neither lime, nor manure, nor land, nor crop, how can it be as- 

 certained what has been done, and what efficacy or utility is to be 

 accredited to the lime ? 



I state this case, which is not in any respect exaggerated, to illus- 

 trate the difficulty of arriving at correct results solely from the neg- 

 lect of intelligent and exact inquiry and experiment. But I shall be 

 answered, that it would be too much trouble to be as exact and par- 

 ticular as I propose. This is an answer which an inquisitive and in- 

 telligent farmer, if he means to respect himself, will be very shy of 

 giving. In most cases, however, it costs scarcely more pains to 

 conduct and observe an experiment with exactness, than to do it in 

 the uncertain way in which it is commonly done. But in the latter 

 case we may be properly said to determine nothing ; in the former 

 we reach the object of our inquiry, which is generally much more 

 than a compensation for any pains-taking it may cost us. But in no 

 matter whatever is knowledge of any substantial value acquired without 

 labor and careful inquiry. We might as well complain that we can- 

 not obtain the harvest without sowing the seed, and tending and cul- 

 tivating the growth. But the constitution and laws of the divine 

 providence in these cases are inviolable, and not to be turned aside 

 for our convenience or indolence ; and as far as concerns man's moral 

 benefit, the benevolence of this unchangeableness corresponds with 

 its infinite wisdom. 



1. Potatoes. — An experiment in planting potatoes was made 

 by T. F. Pliinkett, of Piilsfield, with a view to ascertain the proper 

 description and quantity of seed to be used. I subjoin the account 

 of it ; and deeming them interesting in the same connexion, I add 

 the results of some experiments made with the same view, in Dover, 

 N. H., in the year 1813. 



Experiment in planting Potatoes, in 1838, by T. F. Plunkett. 



1st Row. Seeded with 1 large potato to each hill ; product 5J 

 bs., and good size. 



2d Row. Seeded with 2 small potatoes to each hill ; product, 4^ 

 bs., and small size. 



2d Roio. Seeded with 1 small potato to each hill ; product, 2§ 

 bs., aod small size. 



