136 LETTER-FILES OF S. W. JOHNSON 



Francisco, on December 20, 1861, asking for advice 

 and assistance in problems arising in his work there, 

 and also said: 



I was so delighted to see your article on soil analyses, agri- 

 cultural survey humbugs, etc., that I began to think agricul- 

 tural departments of geological surveys were almost useless, 

 until I sobered down and the excitement of your article wore 

 off. 



The early part of 1862 passed quietly by, affairs 

 progressing as usual in the Scientific School although 

 the war had paralyzed all outside activities. On Feb- 

 ruary 24, Professor Johnson w^rote home : 



I am in better health than I remember to have been for 10 

 years, and have enjoyed the winter weather very much. The 

 war seems to have a good effect on chemistry. The laboratory 

 has 19 students, more by two than we have ever had before. 

 Our funds are all in good condition except some in the Canal 

 R. R. of this State. Mr. Sheffield made good the deficiency 

 out of his own pocket to the amount of $500, one half came 

 to me. I was a little troubled for a while, fearing that I 

 should be short and behind in rent. I have no other income 

 now of consequence besides my salary, and that is just enough 

 to get along with. All analyses and odd jobs are stopped till 

 the war is over, I suppose. . . . 



a taste for natural science. He first went to New Haven to study scien- 

 tific farming under Professor John Pitkin Norton, with the intention of 

 fitting himself for the life of a farmer. Later, on becoming Norton 

 Professor of Agriculture in the Sheffield Scientific School, he returned to 

 New Haven, where for more than forty years he freely served his univer- 

 sity, his city, his state and his country in many forms of public service. 

 His sympathetic and kindly interest in aD that appertains to the progress 

 of humanity drew his associates very close to him, and few men in 

 academic life have enjoyed so wide a circle of influence and usefulness. 



