88 
well known to all of you, that I shall confine the few remarks 
which I have to make to what I consider the more immediate 
application of the science of Geology to this neighbourhood. 
At a late meeting of the Society held at Sheffield, Mr. Mar- 
tin, the chairman, made some most appropriate remarks with 
reference to the application of Geology to the neighbourhood 
of that town, which owes not only its wealth, but its position 
in the commercial world, to the numerous veins of ironstone 
and coal with which it abounds; but in this neighbourhood, 
which is purely of an agricultural nature, I shall call your 
attention to remarks most applicable to it in that light. 
Without an acquaintance with the analysis of the soil, it is 
impossible that farming operations can be conducted to 
advantage. How often do we see the application of Geology 
entirely neglected in agricultural pursuits ? How often do 
we see alkaline tillage heaped on lands that are already 
saturated with alkaline matter ? It is the peculiar province 
of Geology to remedy these errors ; and if it does not in- 
form us of the exact description of tillage which would be 
most beneficial, it is at least calculated to prevent us from 
applying those which are obviously injurious. I do entreat 
my brother farmers to consider this, not as a mere theory, 
not as a drawing-room refinement of science, and recom- 
mending that which is impossible in practice, because I ima- 
gine it to be far otherwise, and I believe it to be in the 
power of every farmer to make himself acquainted with the 
nature of the soil. The chemical analysis necessary for this 
purpose is by no means difficult ; the utmost refinement of 
such analysis is not called for in such an investigation. I do 
not mean to say that a farmer is to make the most abstruse 
sciences his study ; but what I mean is, that by the com- 
monest attention to what is obvious to every body, he may 
safely and advantageously apply the science of Geology to 
the soil in his own district. As there may be some among 
