26 



There is a wide difference between 

 seeing and foreseeing a result. Yet when 

 facts and results are shown us, how often 

 do we imagine that we have foreseen them. 

 I would not undervalue the magnificent 

 advances of modern science ; but, cer- 

 tainly, hitherto, in vegetable physiology 

 and agricultural chemistry, science, far 

 from directing us, has been contented 

 dimly to shadow out theories to account 

 for the facts and results which practice has 

 ascertained. And these theories every day 

 changes for new ones. Is it that a whole 

 life is necessary for the acquirement of 

 science, and a whole life to make practice 

 perfect, and that the two weapons can 

 never be wielded by one hand? That 

 Liebig should reproach gardeners and 

 farmers for not being chemists, is about 

 as reasonable as if they were to reproach 

 him for not being a gardener or a farmer. 

 He who is wiser than his neighbours had 

 better enlighten, not abuse their darkness. 



