116 LETTER-FILES OF S. W. JOHNSON 



appear to. on some farm or throughout some districts. The 

 manufacturer has for his duty to know how to make, and to 

 make, reliable fertilizers. It is the farmer's duty to know 

 how to select and how to apply them to his soil. If any dealer 

 profess to sell a manure that is useful on all soils, all crops 

 and in all climates, he professes too much ; and if any farmer 

 expects any manure to be similarly useful, he expects too 

 much. The very reasons that make these fertilizers some- 

 times and in some places advantageous, prevent them from 

 being always and universally so. 



Finally, it is well to try to discover what is the significance 

 of this new activity in matters relating to agriculture. It 

 means that the doctrines and practices of farmers are rapidly 

 undergoing change and improvement. It means that the 

 farmer has been inquiring and reflecting, and has determined 

 on a wider range of enterprise. It implies, too, that this 

 progress of opinion and action will go on indefinitely, widen- 

 ing and intensifying without limit, and will result in the most 

 exalted benefits if it be duly fostered and guided. It strikes 

 me that of all influences, none will ever be found more efiica- 

 cious in bringing about the harmony and cooperation of 

 science and practice, than this same traffic in manures. It 

 Avill be efficacious because it will bring the parties closely 

 together and make them acquainted, and when they once get 

 to know each other fully, there is no fear that they will ever 

 indulge in mutual abuse, or part company again. 



Just before the delivery of this address, Professor 

 Johnson was elected chemist to the Connecticut State 

 Agricultural Society. A few days later came these 

 pleasant words of appreciation from Mr. Tucker: 



I congratulate you and the farmers of Connecticut on your 

 appointment as Chemist to the Conn. State Ag. Society. If 

 wise counsels prevail, something good and permanent in its 

 effects may be looked for from this small beginning. I have 



