nrsnmx. xvii 
     
    
   
   
    
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
          
     
        
     
         
     
        
     
       
     
       
     
           
     
         
     
        
     
       
     
       
     
       
     
       
     
       
     
         
     
         
     
    
   
   
    
     ces, in variable proportion. It has been ascertained 
     
     by chemical analysis, that in order to be fertile, a. 
     
     ‘ oil must contain certain quantities of these mineral, 
     
     saline and vegetable substances, some of which are 
     
     ound in the ash of plants. It is not only necessary 
     
     that those substances should be present, but they 
     
     must exist in certain quantities, and it is their proper 
     
     adjustment that renders the soil most productive. It 
     
     hould be the principal object of the farmer to study 
     
     the soil he cultivates, the kind ot'crop most favorable, 
     
     and the means necessary for its improvement, che- 
     
     ' istry, mineralogy and geology being brought to his 
     
     aid. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The object of chemical analysis is to obtain an 
     
     ‘aciurate knowledge of the constituents of the best 
     
     inds of soil for different crops, and to compare them 
     
     with the elements of soils that are unproductive. By 
     
     such a comparison, the substances that are deficient 
     
     .in sterile earth, are readily discovered and may 
     
     be supplied by artificial means. It might be expected 
     
     that from a course so simple and plain, knowledge 
     
     could be gained, whereby the most barren waste 
     
     could immediately be rendered fertile. It is true that 
     
     he iapid advances of geology and chemistry, have 
     
     brought this desirable end in view, yet nature some- 
     
     imes seems to mock the efforts of art, and science 
     
     5 unable to control the physical world. The electric 
     
     urrents set in motion by the decomposition of mines 
     
     'al matter, are but imperfectly understood, nor has 
     
     heir influence upon vegetation been brought within 
     
     he control ofthe agriculturist. The difi'erences and 
     
     icissitudes of climate, the variations of the atmos- 
     
     here, heat, dryness, moisture, 850., all exercise in- 
     
     uences over the growth of plants, but their causes 
     
     re beyond the reach of art or industry. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The analysis of soils and minerals is an art that re- 
     
     uires sound chemical knowledge and skill in manipu- 
     
     ation. Time and patient investigation are necessary 
     
     obtain correct results. Heretot‘ore this branch of 
     
     ,‘hemistry has been undervalued by agricultural bo- 
     
    
   
   
    
     BB3