SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3367, 20 November 1872, Page 5

SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE.

TO THE KDITOK. Stu—Much might be said in regard to the necessity of extending a knowledge of the principles of husbandry, and also on the reoulta that might follow auch action on our i part as a peoples. If we enquire into the i mode of operations pursued by farmcrß and nettlers generally, we find it is anything but the bent; and that it could be greatly mi- j proved upon, to the welfare of all. Ido not j .attempt to judge an to what inducements they have for not acting otherwise. Until farming is commonly conducted on the most improved principles, by the application of | science ana chemistry to its operations, we may cease to expect to have its varied products for the world's markets. In tillage, is there not much guess-work? When we plant or sow, do we know if the soil contains the necessary chemical constituents to ensure, under favourable meteorological conditioDS, a stated return of roots, grass, grain, or fruitH "'. Have we yet provided means of such knowledge to guide us ? Kven in the common means of fructifying the soil there is lax work, which we are already reaping, and will yet reap the fruits of. Witness the neglect of saving manures at yards and farmsteads. Witness the admitted exhaustive system of cropping. Do we not require more than ploughs, double, treble, and for plain, hill- j side, and valley, before we may expect pro- i fitablc returns for expensive labour, &c, &c. ? Could we not introduce a better system, and make it general ; place ourselveß in a position to act more by rule, and to know what we were doing, and what that labour would realise? How, then, shall we proceed? In addition to a central scene of operations, a model farm, or what not, where the most complete instruction could be given and experiments conducted, would it not be also desirable that in each district there be provided means of analysing soils and manures, and in many ways distributing the knowledge worked out at the model laboratory ? Could these district establishments be bo arranged as to be places for the preparation of manures from substances now overlooked, because their relation to agricultural progress and national prosperity is unrecognised ? Or will these, when the necessity of applying science and chemistry to husbandry is universally recognised, be supplied by private enterprise ? At the present time we have no adequate means of extending agricultural knowledge. No interchange or dissemination of ideas on processes, experiments, and results, save, perhaps, anent stock and mechanical appliances ; no Colonial journal of agricultural industries ; no united means to improve an industry having many branches, and which now occupies, and ever will, a very large part of the population. Knowledge is power. Who ■shall say that many a cultivator, grazier, or gardener might not, ere the close of this season, be financially better if he now knew how to utilize a stream for irrigation, or by cutting a drain, or by applying some chemical substance to his growing crops ? Aye, in many ways might he not strive to some definite advantage, and not blindly? The subject is an important one, and should engage the attention of all. Is it nt not of «qual importance with internal communication V What reference has it to the future of New Zealand ? Much.—l am, &c, Advanck Nkw Zealand.