Information collected after views of distinct en- 
quiry, would necessarily be fitted for inductive rea- 
soning, and capable of being connected with the 
general principles of science •> and a few histories 
of the results of truly philosophical experiments in 
agricultural chemistry, would be of more value in 
enlightening and benefiting the farmer, than the 
greatest possible accumulation of imperfect trials, 
conducted merely in the empirical spirit. It is no 
unusual occurrence for persons who argue in favour 
of practice and experience, to condemn generally 
all attempts to improve agriculture by philosophi- 
cal enquiries and chemical methods. That much 
vague speculation may be found in the works of 
those who have lightly taken up agricultural che- 
mistry, it is impossible to deny. It is not uncom- 
mon to find a number of changes rung upon a 
string of technical terms, such as oxygene, hydro- 
gene, carbon, and azote, as if the science de- 
pended upon words, rather than upon things. 
But this is in fact an argument for the necessity of 
the establishment of just principles of chemistry 
on the subject. Whoever reasons upon agricul- 
ture, is obliged to recur to this science. He feels 
that it is scarcely possible to advance a step with- 
out it ; and if he is satisfied with insufficient views, 
it is not because he prefers them to accurate 
knowledge, but generally because they are more 
current. If a person journeying in the night 
wishes to avoid being led astray by the ignis 
fatuus, the most secure method is to carry a lamp 
in his own hand. 
It has been said, and undoubtedly with great 
15 
