MEMOm OF THE LATE JOHN SCALES. 
95 
arisen out of local habit, or they spring from improvements that 
have not been generally disseminated, and even in the rudest 
districts there may he some which merit imitation. Xow it is quite 
eviilent that some of these systems must be preferable to others, 
and that no man can determine which is best without being 
acquainted with all, nor can any former be .said to be completely 
master of his business until ho has attained that knowledge. It is 
not suflicient that he already gets what ho considers a fair return 
for his capital and industry, if by other modes he could obtain 
nion? ; and if ho neglects them, he injures himself, his family, and 
tlie public. Ho may bo satisfied with 30 bushels of wheat to the 
acre, but if, by any other method not more expensive, he could 
grow 31 bu.shels it is not only his interest but his duty also to 
adopt it. In no country has husbandry been carried to higher 
perfection than this ; yet, even in England, pmcticcs exist in some 
counties tliat are either wholly unknown, or only imperfectly under- 
stood, in others, and it is only by comparing them that their 
relative usefulness can bo ascertained. Farmens, being necessarily 
much confined to their own district, by the unremitting care which 
their business demands, can rarely inspect the system of any other, 
and therefore improvements that when made in manufactures are 
speedily promulgated in consequence of their usually close neigh- 
bourhood are slowly disseminated among husbandmen.” 
He concluded by urging especially the study of Chemistry and 
F.otany, not oidy as assisting the former to discover the resources 
of the land and turning them to the best account, but because of 
the moral effects of those studies, and especially in the employment 
of leisure time. “ Time is an estate,” he quotes — “ a truth strictly 
applicable to those who spend in a useful and improving manner 
that leisure which the vicious and ignorant spend in idleness.” 
There can be no doubt that his knowledge of Entomology, 
Eotnn}', and Chenii.stry, added to his matured experience of 
agriculture, eminently fitted him for the post which he occupied, 
and to this many of his pupils subsequently bore willing testimony; 
but unhappily dissensions arose, how or of what kind it is needless 
here to consider, and he felt compelled, in justice to himself, after 
a time to resign the office of Principal, to the great regret, it is 
believed, of the majority of the Council. Early in 1852 he 
accepted the superintendence of the large estates of Castle 
