THE FATHERS OF MODERN AGRICULTURE.

THE FATHERS OF MODERN AGRICULTURE.

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Until the commencement of the present century there was but little systematic cultivation in America. The forward movement was, undoubtedly, commenced by Washington (as good and conscientious a farmer as he was a statesman) and by Thomas Jefferson, whose scientific investigations into mechanics led him to make the first really valuable improvement in plows.

Great Britain is more indebted to Lord Bacon, undoubtedly, than to any of his contemporaries for the impetus which agriculture received in his day. This great philosopher taught men the inductive method-to inquire into and. to discover by experiment, step by step, through the great alphabet of nature-soils, gases, elements, etc.—the true relation which each bears to each.

If all the votaries of agriculture had followed this great man's teachings we should have heard less of that myth the "Science of Agriculture." It might more truly be called the sum of all sciences, since, though it is made up of something of all sciences, nevertheless, it will never, in the nature of things, become in itself a true science.

Early in the eighteenth century Jethro Tull, one of the earliest and one of the best writers on agriculture that England ever had, did much, through the record of his experiments in new and improved modes of culture, to advance the customary system of tillage, and to reduce it to rule. Tull was the father of drill husbandry, and the inventor of the horse-hoe. He also invented, but failed to perfect, the threshing-machine, leaving the final triumph in this direction for American genius to achieve, more than a century later.

Arthur Young is also justly celebrated for his labors in behalf of agriculture. He traveled extensively over Europe,

to observe the various methods of tillage which prevailed, and is said to have edited nearly one hundred volumes relating to the profession.

In Scotland, Lord Kames, and still more, Sir John Sinclair, were earnest and persevering patrons of agriculture. To the latter gentleman, Scotland is indebted for a complete agricultural survey of the country, with statistical accounts relating to it. The publication of the fruits of his labors had the important result, among others, of leading to the establishment of the Board of Agriculture, in 1793, by Mr. Pitt.

Sir Humphrey Davy was another benefactor of hus-bandry, deserving prominent mention. It was the result of his experiments which led to the establishment of Agricultural Chemistry as a recognized branch of modern science; and this is truly the "corner-stone of agriculture." Recognizing a plant as a living thing, he held that the laws of its existence must be studied in order to develop the most perfect growth. By experiments, and in his lectures, he demonstrated that plants derive their component parts either from the atmosphere by which they are surrounded, or from the soil in which they grow. These elements being principally carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, he showed by analysis of soils and plants the relative nature of each, and the conditions necessary to best furnish the elements for growth, and proved that the process of vegetation depends upon their constant assimilation by the organs of plants, by means of moisture, light, and heat.

SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

In the United States but little scientific experimenting, having for its end the promotion of agriculture, was officially

SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 35

attempted until the endowment of Agricultural Colleges began; and but little has been done even at those institutions, except in a crude and confused way. In the practical application of science to agriculture, however, and in the invention and introduction of labor-saving machinery of the most diversified kinds, our people have become celebrated all over the civilized world.

In the construction of machinery for steam-plowing we do not yet compete with our English brethren, for the simple reason that our virgin soils, where steam-plowing is practicable, can not be advantageously worked by steam, except when an extraordinary depth of furrow is required, such, for instance, as in the cultivation of root crops; and these crops in our country, where corn is so cheap, can not be made profitable unless it be in special localities or seasons. Nevertheless, of late attention has been turned in this direction, and I confidently believe that in the Parvin motor will be found the principle which will eventually compete successfully with horse-power, not only in plowing our soils, but in all the operations of the farm where steam

power is required, and also in hauling our grain to the railroad stations on our common country roads.

Our agricultural machinery, in general, has won the highest encomiums wherever exhibited, both in our own country and Europe, as models of strength combined with elegance and lightness.

The first cast-iron plow, made in New Jersey in 1797, has undergone various modifications, until now its mirrorlike surface of polished steel, and the admirable adaptation of each part to the work required, would seem to leave but little more to be desired. Yet, not satisfied still, the mind. of man is now seeking for some mechanism that shall entirely supersede the plow in the preparation of the soil for the perfect growth of the seed.

Science has enabled the farmer to plow his ground, sow his seed, cultivate his crops, harvest his grain, and make it ready for the stook, thresh, winnow, and send it to the market by the mere act of superintending machines, which do the work like so many creatures of intelligence. He mows his grass, makes it into hay, rakes it into windrows, cocks or loads it directly on the wagon, stacks or puts it in the barn, and even does the heavy work of feeding, entirely by machinery. Water is pumped for his stock and carried into his house by the agency of the wind or steam.

He digs, drains, makes roads, subsoils, and trenchplows his land; plants, hauls, and grinds his grain; prepares fodder for and feeds it to his stock; pumps, saws, and threshes; spades and hoes; loads and unloads; stacks his hay and straw, and does an infinity of other work besides, by the power of automatic sinews of iron and steel. How? By the power of mind applied to the direction of material forces; by true knowledge of cause and effect; in a word, by science. And yet, if asked the question to-day, it is highly

STATUS OF AGRICULTURE IN ANCIENT TIMES.

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probable that two-thirds of the farmers of this country would laugh at the idea of the existence of any intimate relation between science and agriculture.

STATUS OF AGRICULTURE IN ANCIENT TIMES.

It is well known that, at some periods of ancient times, and in some countries, agriculture was held to be an honorable calling, and kings, princes, and statesmen did not disdain to till the soil with their own hands. In ancient Egypt, where labored the men who reared the mighty pyramids, the priests and soldiers owned the lands, about six acres of the Delta of the Nile being allotted to each warrior. At war's alarm they sprang forth ready armed to fight for their estates and homes. In times of peace they grew and spun flax, and with the roots, herbs, wheat, and leguminous fruits which they raised, they supplied food for a large portion of the then known civilized earth.

The Carthaginians considered agriculture to be of all callings the most aristocratic, and the kings, princes, and nobles were among the most active cultivators of the soil. When the Romans finally subdued and laid waste the land, the only books which they deemed worthy of being carried away, it is said, were twenty-eight volumes of manuscripts relating to agriculture.

The Chinese, who have bridges constructed two thousand years ago, still consider agriculture so noble an art that a solemn ceremony is each year performed at which the emperor is required to turn the soil. This nation fed silkworms before Solomon reared his temple. They built the great wall around the empire while Europe was yet wrapped in the gloom of the Dark Ages. They cultivated cotton centuries before the discovery of America. In many respects,