34 Farmers' Laboratory. 
maximum of cold, in this well, was in April and May, when the 
temperature was as low as 43°. The mean of the twelve ohser- 
vations gives 46°562 — a result differing but by a very small frac- 
tion from the mean temperature of the atmosphere as above de- 
duced, and furnishing a very simple and accurate method of ob- 
taining the mean temperature of any place, at least with a well of 
moderate depth. 
I have made some observations on thermal springs during the 
year, but shall omit any notice of these at present. 
FARMERS' LABORATORY. 
The discoveries and improvements of late have added " Modern 
Agriculture" to the list of the sciences, and erected it into one of 
the highest dignity. The intelligent and skilful agriculturist pos- 
sesses, in his farm, a splendid laboratory, furnished with a thou- 
sand chemical agents, by the action of which all the results of 
culture are obtained; and the ancient alchymists are now realized 
by every scientific farmer; for they have truly discovered the phi- 
losopher's stone and derived the true means of converting into 
gold, the very elements of the earth. By the aid of Geology, 
Mineralogy, Chemistry, Botany and Labor, he has forced the earth, 
the rocks, minerals, acids and alkalis, to yield their stubborn pro- 
perties, singly or in combination, in relief of the first wants of 
mankind. The discoveries of the nature and properties of the 
constituents of the soils, has taught him the art of adapting the 
proper growth to their peculiarities, rendering the same land, by 
the same labor, doubly productive, and the means of resuscitating 
exhausted lands, making them fertile as virgin soil. The im- 
provement in the construction of implements of husbandry, the 
invention of a thousand new modes of saving labor, by ingenious 
machinery, and the wonderful facilities of transportation, have 
materially lessened the toils and risks of the farmer, and contri- 
buted essentially to the success of his pursuits. 
