8 INTRODUCTION. 



offer ; and farther, when we consider the im- 

 portant interests that are committed to the cul- 

 tivator of the soil, — that from him and his ex- 

 ertions all earthly beings derive their support, 

 either directly or indirectly ; that the produc- 

 tions of the earth constitute the vast majority 

 of the luxuries and comforts we possess ; that 

 commerce depends almost wholly on agricul- 

 ture, in its various branches, for its support; 

 that the happiness and comfort of millions is 

 dependent on the production of the earth, and 

 that human happiness is increased or dimi- 

 nished as the supply of food is abundant or 

 otherwise, we have every stimulus to apply 

 our best energies to the cultivation of the soil, 

 independently of the pleasure and satisfaction 

 with which the study of nature is always ac- 

 companied, and the individual benefits we de- 

 rive therefrom. 



It may not, after what has already been 

 stated, be deemed necessary to point out in 

 what particular instances chemistry has bene- 

 fited agriculture ; but still, as some persons 

 may not see the direct and immediate connex- 

 ion that exists between these sciences, (at the 

 risk of being considered somewhat tedious,) it 

 is suggested, for their consideration, that the 

 analysis of soils is peculiarly a chemical opera- 

 tion, and that as each individual plant requires 

 for its perfection certain substances, the ana- 

 lysis of the soil in which they grow is the 

 only way to discover if such substances are 

 present, and if not, of indicating, what particu- 

 lar one is wanting, which, when discovered, 



