10 



versal use of superphosphates — concerning which, how- 

 ever, there is such varied opinion. But the variety of 

 opinion is owing to the fact that some superphosphate 

 manufacturers are honest men and others are not. Chem- 

 ical fertilizers are to be proved by what they will do. 

 By their works ye shall know them. 



If a man has an abundance of home-made manure, he is 

 a happy man. 



It will appear evident that the man who finds out just 

 what is best to use in renewing the soil will want to do 

 something more than- manual labor. 



The study of seeds demands attention. The good farm- 

 er does not need to be advised on that point. Let me 

 emphasize the fact with an example. 



Mr. Hallett, of Brighton, England, chose a single head 

 of good wheat. It was 4 3-8 inches long, and had 47 

 kernels. 



These were planted separately. 



From the harvest the best head was selected and planted 

 the same as before. 



The result of four harvests was this : 



At the first harvest the best plant bore 10 heads, at the 

 secoud 22, at the third 39, at the fourth 52, and the best 

 head was 8 3-4 inches long.* 



It is an illustration of what man can do in developing 

 nature. The world is full of life, but man was placed in 

 the garden to dress and keep it, and the best results are 

 never found without the intelligent and most painstaking 

 industry. 



*See U. S. Census Report 1880, vol. x, p. 403. 



