11 



say that science first may be defined as the opposite or the 

 complement of practice ; and, secondly, as abstract theory 

 based on thought, and distinguished from working based on 

 experience. Why run so far for a reply and put it in so 

 many words when a short one is at hand? "Science" is 

 knowledge, and "scientific" is knowing; just that and 

 nothing less or more. The mind of the Northmen has grown 

 great and strong, because it is knowing and still seeks knowl- 

 edge. 



To descend from generals to specials, and from greater 

 things to smaller, we cannot hope to thrive in agriculture ex- 

 cept by holding to the working method of our race ; we must 

 be scientific, having and eagerly seeking knowledge. There 

 are too many men who fall away from this method, and prop 

 themselves against one of the stupidest sayings ever invent- 

 ed by an idler : " What was good enough for my father Ik 

 good enough for me." They are like those lake people we 

 were talking of, who thought that wheat, dried apples and a 

 bronze hatchet were sufficient for any family, and who, so far 

 as we know, never got beyond these simple supplies. 



You tumble against such folks at every turn ; and a deal of 

 hauling and pushing it takes to get them out of the way. 

 Last winter, a number of learned men asked the Legislature 

 for an annual grant for making a proper survey of this Com- 

 monwealth. Our friends of the bronze period awoke at once 

 from their customary doze. "What, what, what! A survey! 

 Have we not town, county, and state maps already } Did our 

 fathers complain of them } No, no ! This is a device to pay 

 a parcel of scientists who want to wander over the earth with 

 muck rakes ! " So the petitioners had leave to withdraw. 

 As a fact, there is no such thing in existence as a map of 

 Massachusetts. There is a sheet of paper painted with divers 



