432 Anniversary Address. 



the same they are fully alive to its advantage ; and there is 

 no slighting and despising of science as there used lately to 

 be, but on the other hand a very general respect and 

 deference is now paid to its teachings, and a desire mani- 

 fested to make use of its assistance. 



Let me now, in bringing to a close these very imperfect 

 remarks, attempt to state very shortly, the directions in 

 which the researches and discoveries of Nature's methods of 

 working have influenced and advanced ordinary farm 

 practice during recent years. 



Through a knowledge of the absorbent properties of soils, 

 and their varying powers of retaining the different con- 

 stituents upon which their fertility for vegetable sustenance 

 depends, much has been learned as regards (1) the best 

 forms in which to supply these essential elements ; (2) the 

 best periods of the year at which to make the applications 

 of such to the different crops cultivated ; and (3) the proper 

 quantities which are requisite, that there may be enough 

 and yet no undue waste. We have learned (1) that while 

 soils have the power of retaining nitrogen when presented 

 to them in the form of ammoniacal compounds, they part 

 very freely with it when by the oxidation of these com- 

 pounds, the nitrogen they contain passes into the form of 

 nitrates ; (2) that plants are dependent solely for the supply 

 of all the nitrogen they require on what they can find, in 

 the form of nitrates present in the soil ; (3) that as regards 

 'phosphates and potash, soils have the power of conserving 

 these in all the forms in which they come to them for crop 

 sustenance without much appreciable loss. Accordingly it 

 is now the practice, in making application of nitrogenous 

 manures to apply those which contain their nitrogen in the 

 form of ammoniacal salts and organic compounds much 

 earlier in the season than formerly, and to reserve the 

 application of those which contain their nitrogen in the 

 form of nitrates, to a considerably later season, till in fact 

 the rootlets of the crop cultivated have taken possession of 

 the soil and are ready to seize hold of what they require 

 before it is washed out of their reach by the rains of heaven. 



