Elements of scientific agriculture, or, The connection between science and the art of practical farming : prize essay of the New York State Agricultural Society

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S[l?p i. 1. Hill Htbrarg

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Preface

This little treatise is an attempt to supply a great and growing want in our country; a want of some elementary work, that shall clearly and distinctly explain the great principles that are involved in the applications of science to agriculture. The necessity for such a work has become apparent to all who have engaged in the dissemination of knowledge upon this subject; to all who have endeavored to arouse the farming community, by bringing forward incitements to the study of this new science.

The agricultural interest is now awaking to a full sense of its deficiences, and demands imperatively, that knowledge, in clear and comprehensive forms, be placed within its reach.

We have large works of great merit, in Johnston's Lectures, and Stephens's Farmers' Guide; but these are too bulky for the man who has just begun to entertain the idea that there may, after all, be something learned from books, A small work of this kind is far more likely to attract his attention, and gradually to ir PREFACE.

lead him en, till he ends by an eager study of the larger treatises.

In the general arrangement of the chapters, I have followed that marked out in Prof. Johnston's admirable Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology. The expressed opinion of many teachers, "that the catechetical form was not adapted to the schools of this country, and that they needed a work of more fullness and detail," induced me to think of an effort to supply their wants.

The approbation bestowed by the New-York State Societ}- upon the essay, which, with some additions and alterations, has assumed its present shape, led to a more speedy completion of my half-formed plans, than I had anticipated.

The teacher will perceive that the experiments, and the illustrations, occasionally reconmi ended, are of the most simple character. No expensive materials are needed, and, excepting a few cheap chemicals, almost any house could furnish every requisite article.

No questions are appended to the chapters, for the reason that they would be a disagreeable interruption to the general reader, and would perhaps confine the teacher to a routine in his examinations. The chapters are, however, divided into sections and paragraphs, in a way calculated to fix the attention of the reader upon leading points.

Questions should be asked with the distinct intention of impressins: at least the chief conclusions and

PREFACE. V

facts of each chapter, in such a manner that they can not soon be forgotten.

My aim has been, to furnish a complete sketch of scientific agriculture, in plain and intelligible language; accompanied by as many details and explanations as seemed desirable in a purely elementary work.

As such, I beg leave to present it to the American farmer, and to the American teacher, with the hope that it may be found adapted to their use.

JOHN P. NORTON.

Ne-w-Haven, April 16, 1850.

Contents

Tme meaning of the word Agricultcre, page 1

Division of bodies into organic and inorganic substances, ... 4

Organic dements of plants.

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION. ORGANIC ELEMENTS OF PLANTS.

True meaning of the word agriculture : how much more it means than is commonly understood. Plants divided into an organic and inorganic part: meaning of these words. Names of organic elements : Carbon and its properties ; hydrogen and its properties; oxygen and its properties; nitrogen and its properties, with modes for obtaining all. Importance of these bodies.