90 
THE VETERINARIAN, FEBRUARY 1, IS 60. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero. 
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN AGRICULTURE, 
CHEMISTRY, AND VETERINARY MEDICINE. 
It is only of late years that the mutual dependence which, 
different sections of the community have upon each other 
in the pursuit of their several callings, has really been made 
manifest. This has principally resulted from the progress 
which has taken place in the sciences. A golden chain seems 
to blend all together in one harmonious whole; and each 
comes to the other’s aid, either in the way of explanation or 
of support. 
Especially do we see the existence of this in reference to 
chemistrv and agriculture. The time was when it was little 
thought requisite on the part of the tiller of the soil that he 
should become acquainted with its chemical constituents, the 
mutual relationship they bear to each other, and the changes 
that obtain on their being commingled. Far less did it 
appear to him necessary that he should be conversant with 
the nature of the ashes of plants, and from these to derive a 
knowledge of the land most conducive to the growth of 
certain vegetables in it; and that unless the elements of these 
pre-existed there, they could receive no nourishment, and 
therefore, would not grow. Some crude notions prevailed 
in his mind that it was from the air, the water, and the earth, 
vegetation resulted; the how , it was for science to demonstrate. 
It may be that there yet much remains to be ascertained 
respecting the way in which this is brought about. Myste¬ 
ries still exist, and ever will, in the arcana of Nature, which 
the ken of men is unable to fathom. Nevertheless, there 
are some facts so patent, some truths so palpable, that he 
who runs may read them, and a non-observance of them 
will assuredly end in disappointment and loss. While on the 
