508 Retrospective Criticism. 



Art. II. Retrospective Criticism. 



The Study of Bees, and of Chemistry and Vegetable Physiology, (p. 576.) — I 

 would be sorry if Mr. Wighton should think I undervalued the study of bees. 

 I certainly did not mean to express myself in that way. He seemed, how- 

 ever, from his manner of expression, by boasting of an ignorance of alkalies, 

 to undervalue the study of chemistry. I certainly was not of opinion that 

 his pretended ignorance was real, but thought it proper to defend the neces- 

 sity of the knowledge of chemistry, to a certain extent, to gardeners. There 

 may be diiFerences of opinion as to the comparative space that chemistry 

 ought to occupy in the education of a gardener ; but, certainly, it was not 

 rating it too high, to wish a tithe of the time bestowed by Mr. W. on bees to 

 be devoted to that purpose. His work latel}' published on bees bears evi- 

 dencfe of its having originated in a vast deal of attention to the subject. In 

 many situations, however, it may be found that a knowledge of chemistry is 

 of more consequence, in others it may not; education should be as much as 

 possible suited to the future prospects in life ; and much more attention may 

 be required, in particular instances, to certain branches than to others. 

 Gardeners, however, as at present situated, are subject to so many changes of 

 place, that a very extensive course is required. When employers come to 

 be better convinced of the benefits resulting, both to man and master, from a 

 servant considering his situation as fixed, and thus being enabled to bring out 

 the capabilities of the grounds intrusted to his charge (which a lifetime is 

 generally short enough to accomplish), it may be more in the gardener's 

 power to know to what branches of education he should most devote his 

 attention. I do not recollect exactly what I said in the Gazette about 

 excretions from roots. I am of opinion, however, that it is most hkely the 

 excretions from roots give rise to the fungi found there ; the fungi found 

 there are more likely, as fungi in general, to feed on morbid excreted matter, 

 than on the sound living tissue of the root : the subject, however, is open to 

 discussion. As to the other parts of the essay, it is needless to make repe- 

 titions. I take the meaning of the word virgin soil to be, untouched ; when 

 pasture has lain long untouched, the soil may get consoHdated so far as to 

 regain the property inherent in virgin soil of keeping porous when made so, 

 which no long-worked soil will do. This propert}', however, is quite inde- 

 pendent of any substance contained in the soil ; its good effects are more 

 perceptible in light fertile loamy soils than in clayey, but it exists in all new 

 soils ; and, like a layer of charcoal spread on the surface, keeps up the proper 

 communication between the soil and atmosphere, which is indispensable to 

 fertility. Ifc is a physical property belonging to its natural constitution, which 

 gives effect to the mechanical operations of pulverising, which are soon 

 obliterated in effete worn-out soils, by their tendency to dissolve into powder. 

 This is quite independent of any organic matter accunmlated in the pasture, 

 or saline substances washed into the subsoil ; it is a natural principle in the 

 constitution of the soil denoting vigour, while long working is productive of 

 an exhaustion which no manures we can apply will altogether remove. The 

 arguments I brought forward on this head in the former essay are what 

 I have considered as solving the question in my own mind, perhaps better 

 than I have been able to exjilain myself; but I am open to conviction, and 

 may be mistaken, and there is nothing like proper discussion for eliciting the 

 truth. The benefits pointed out by Mr. W. are great, but more in the power 

 of manures to remetly ; the other, nothing but time to consolidate, or trench- 

 ing, will amend. I hope, however, that both essays will have been found 

 beneficial as expressions of opinion, on which the readers of the Magazine 

 will form a judgement for themselves. — R. Lymbitrn. Kilmarnock, November, 

 1842. 



