576 
PROFESSOR JOHNSTON’S LECTURE. 
intended ; and he might say, not only throw light upon the points 
they were expected to clear up, and to develop scientific causes, 
but also to suggest further experiments : these others gradually 
leading to a more extended augmentation of knowledge. Besides, 
though in all probability not directly contemplated, this process 
was sure to realize one of the most important purposes of all ex- 
periments, — the ascertaining of facts, and the elucidation of the cer- 
tainty of causes. Yet the prosecution of those measures in con- 
nexion with rural economy was also fitted to give new and inte- 
resting data, to introduce a more careful observation and recording 
of facts, to waken new thoughts, and gradually to impart a higher 
tone to the mind of our rural population. It also tended to con- 
vert agriculture from an empirical art — from a mere intellectual 
pursuit of learned men — to less purely scientific and abstract, but 
not less important ends, worthy of those for whom the experiments 
were, in the first instance, recommended. 
This movement was felt to be worthy of general and serious 
consideration, so that it became evident that those who would not 
participate in it would become the Gibeonites of their class; and, 
though the progress of such changes measured by the length of a 
single life might appear slow, it was a sure progress nevertheless. 
Some present might have sons who would become hewers of A^ood 
and drawers of water to others now occupying their own position ; 
and those sons of theirs would look back with regret to their 
neglect manifested in the education of their youth, and justly for- 
get to load their memories with a regard for those to whom they 
are indebted for many natural blessings, when they felt how 
much wiser was the affection of those who cause their children to 
be instructed in their youth. The second point urged upon the 
agricultural public was the rejection of received views, and of 
every opinion, by whomsoever propounded and propagated, which 
was not based on the observation of facts, requiring them simply 
as calculated to encumber and conceal the foundations of truth. 
This directly tended to clear away and make work for the dis- 
covery of more useful principles. To remove one wrong opinion 
which had obtained a prominent and settled place in the public 
mind, and which, perhaps, had in the first instance been only in- 
troduced on the authority of some great name, was also, perhaps, 
doing not a little to the establishment of some important truth. 
The lecturer believed that the inculcation of this cautious spirit 
was attended with the best effect, and it gave to the heads of our 
rural community a more practical turn. 
It was then suggested that agricultural associations might be 
formed to advantage for the purpose of testing the value of the 
various improvements which might be brought to notice, and for 
