SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE. 235 



inferior ivoys of doing the same thing, and the profit often de- 

 pends upon taking the right course : how would you ascertain the 

 best way of doing something, as, for instance, to raise a ton of 

 carrots? There are three ways in which I might learn it: 1st. 

 By experiment; 2d. I might be told it by some one who knew; 

 3(i. I might learn it from hooks. The first would be a slow pro- 

 cess ; for I might have to experiment ten years before I should 

 hit upon the best cc arse. The second and third would be very 

 much alike ; in either case I should get this piece of knowledge 

 from another person, and it would be of little consequence whe- 

 ther he communicated it through the ear or the eye. 



What peculiar advantage have books? This, that while we 

 cannot command the services of a living teacher at all times, we 

 can always command the assistance of books ; and they can teach 

 us at odd spells, as on rainy days or winter evenings. 



How is the farmer to gain that extensive and varied know- 

 ledge which we have seen that his business requires ? In the 

 first place, he should be educated for his profession when young, 

 as other young men are for theirs ; and in the second place, he 

 should pursue his inquiries through life — should be a thinhing^ 

 and, to some extent, a reading farmer. 



For explaining the reasons of things that are always occurring 

 in life, and especially on a farm, what science is most important ? 

 Chemistry. 



. To what extent should a farmer undertake to learn chemistry ? 

 So far only as to enable him to understand those explanations 

 which chemists are making for his special benefit. 



What other science throws considerable hght on the farmer's 

 path ? Geology. 



To what other subjects should he give particular attention ? To 

 the natural history of plants ; the nature, habits, instincts, wants, 

 and capabilities of domestic animals ; the use of manures ; and 

 the constitution of soils. 



In application to what should he study all these things ? To 

 Practical Agriculture. 



CHEMISTRY. 



What is an element? 1. A Unary compound? 2. A ternary 

 compound ? 3. A quaternary compound ? 3. 



What then does binary mean ? 3. Ternary ? 3. Quaterna- 

 ry? 3. 



Give an example of an element? 4. Of a binary compound? 

 4. Of a ternary compound ? 4. Of a quaternary compound ? 4. 



In how many forms does matter exist? 5. Give an example 

 oi^^gas? 5. Of & liquid? 5. Of & solid?. 6. 



Do any bodies change their form ? 6. In what circumstances 



