44 • 
THE CULTIVATOR 
my scientific investigations, viz. that all animal and 
vegetable and mineral applications, fermented and un¬ 
fermented, improve my crops, and after that the at¬ 
mosphere—aye, and the moon and the planets, may 
have their chance at them afterwards.” 
I am far from wishing to throw philosophy and che¬ 
mistry to the dogs; but would only inculcate a little 
more modesty in the setting forth of their claims. 
After science has applied her tests, let practice and 
experience apply theirs, and thus may the two branch¬ 
es walk lovingly side by side, like two gracious, good- 
humored Durhams beneath the yoke, pulling together 
for the public good. Unfortunately for the advance of 
true science, some of the magi have assumed the phi¬ 
losophic look and title—mounted the knowing specks 
upon their nasal organ—donned the broad-brimmed 
beaver of simplicity, indued themselves with the am¬ 
ple vesture of antique mysticism, and intimate confi¬ 
dentially (through their advertisements) that they and 
only they have discovered the great catholicon; and 
thus delude and disgust those intelligent and enterpris¬ 
ing minds that would apply the results of science to 
practical agriculture. In all the mechanical branches, 
the results of science are fixed, absolute and certain; 
they are demonstrable—like causes will produce like 
results—but in reference to agriculture the case is dif¬ 
ferent. The vital principle of plants has laws peculiar¬ 
ly its own, which have as yet in a great measure elu¬ 
ded the grasp of science. As, for instance, who of the 
learned ones can give us a satisfactory explanation ot 
the effects produced on v egetation by a slight sprink¬ 
ling of gypsum, or an application of lime, ashes, gua¬ 
no, phosphates, &c. They can tell us of the effects, 
but can they give us the rationale'? Can they even 
agree among themselves as touching that great and 
important question, viz. in what form are the above, 
and all other nutritious substances, animal and vege¬ 
table, introduced into the organs of plants ? By me¬ 
chanical or by chemical solution ? or whence and by 
what organs do they obtain their gaseous constituents 
from the air—through their leaves or by their roots, 
from the atmospheric air mixed with the earth, or do 
they decompose the water absorbed through the roots, 
as well as the substances which the water has intro¬ 
duced into them in a soluble state ? I know the doc¬ 
tors will say the rationale of\these cases is very sim¬ 
ple—but then each one has his theory, and no two can 
agree. There has been entirely too much theoretical 
“chemistry as applied to agriculture,” but I have 
reason to hope “ there is a better time coming.” I 
see that Professor Johnston, in his valuable work, 
has rigidly returned to the old Baconian system of 
making experiments, recording facts, and from these 
facts deducing general laws. By carefully conducted 
experiments upon the plants and crops themselves, he 
asks nature herself what her laws are, and he modest¬ 
ly records her answers in form of results. 
It is high time another popular illusion were dispel¬ 
led. In all the profound dissertations upon the noble 
art of farming, and in the oratorical displays before 
agricultural societies, and proposed systems for agri¬ 
cultural schools, the great and important requisite for 
the successful farmer is said to be a knowledge of che¬ 
mistry. This is all wrong. Our cause is only damaged 
by vain pretensions and assumptions, erroneous in 
fact and in principle. It is an accomplishment, and a 
great satisfaction to know what is known in reference 
to the laws of chemical affinity and combination. All 
persons who can, should make themselves acquainted 
with this most interesting branch of knowledge, in or¬ 
der to widen his scope of vision, but that he should be 
induced to enter into the mysteries of this science with 
a view to greater success in his calling, is grossly er- 
roneoas. The farmer’s business is with results; that 
of the chemist is with the process; and with the latter 
may as well be left both process and result, so far as 
'practice is concerned, until something more definite is 
arrived at. I might ask the question, what great or 
important discovery has chemistry brought to the aid 
of the practical farmer? but for fear the question may 
be deemed malicious or impertinent, I withdraw it 
G. E. H. Near Brownsville , Pa. 
Cultivation of Indian Com. 
Malone, December 21, 1853. 
L. Tucker, Esq :—Being an attentive and constant 
reader of your inestimably valuable paper, I have of late 
become much interested in the remarks and communi¬ 
cations upon a variety of subjects, but more especially 
upon raising corn, salting hay, and the dairy business; 
and since you are in the practice of giving communi¬ 
cations a corner of your paper, and as I conceive it to 
be of the most beneficial consequence to practical ag¬ 
riculturists, to have the benefit of the experience of the 
fraternity, I take the liberty of forwarding the follow¬ 
ing facts to you, hoping you will make such use of 
them as circumstances warrant. 
Raising corn has always been, and still continues to 
be, one'of the most extensive operations of the agri¬ 
culturists of this country. We perceive by examining 
into the circumstances of the case, that there is an as¬ 
tonishing amount of capital invested in this one branch 
of farming, and that the common profits are exceeding¬ 
ly small, compared with favored fields, in favorable 
localities. This is the subject which appears to be be¬ 
fore the public, and its remedy requires the considera¬ 
tion of practical farmers. 
There are several causes which directly or indirect¬ 
ly tend to produce this common effect, among which 
may be enumerated soil, tillage, seed, &c. Large 
crops are raised on all kinds of land in favorable sea¬ 
sons ; yet the risk is so great that experienced farmers 
seldom trust their capital in this lottery; but rather 
take land of a light, warm nature, that is easily tilled, 
and can be made productive by manuring, and is sure 
with proper care to produce a remunerating harvest. 
I consider a sand or gravely loam most suitable and 
profitable, though most soils can, by a thorough drain¬ 
ing and'subsoiling, be made to produce godd crops of 
corn. 
After many expeifiments I have adopted the follow¬ 
ing mode of operating. Take land that has been in 
