REPORT OF MR. FRANCIS II. APPLETON.
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mencement of his study and labors, and his successive steps onward, illustrated by explanatory and statistical tables, also plans and drawings ; a description of the domain of Kolin as a swamp, and transformationin to a productive sugar-plantation, with vineyards, trout-breeding ponds, facilities for the transportation of earth by an endless wire-rope and steam (wire-tramways), of methods of planting trees, etc.
Mr. Ilorsky’s report was translated for me by N. L. Derby, A. M., whose excellent knowledge of the German language should be a sufficient guarantee of its correctness. I visited the estate of Kolin in company with Mr. Derby, and not being enough of a German scholar to read the language, I felt sure, from my observations, of finding much instructive matter in the report. Mr. Derby then consented to translate it, and I have found in it a document of much interest.
As to whether and to what extent Mr. Horsky has based his success on correct principles, and has recognized and utilized improvements, can be seen by reference to the results he has achieved.
The more usual varieties of grain and vegetables were exhibited at his estate, showing the richness and length of their roots, and the 'harmfulness of planting the seed more than half an inch before the surface of the soil, or in too great quantity at one point. This matter was studied by him in the year 1854, and is regarded by him as of great importance.
In his preface, he desires that his readers, in judging of his report, will reflect that its author is no wielder of the pen, but rather a man of action and a practical worker.
Let me here urge, as I have more than once done at a previous time, that our men of action and practical workers, of whom we have a much larger per cent, than any other nation, and who may or may not be able with Mr. Ilorsky to say that they are not wielders of the pen, will more frequently give their experience to the public in print, either in the form of essays to their county agricultural societies, the news and agricultural papers, or in other ways. Let them realize that to them, as well as to the theorist, we must look to ascertain the true means of success in any undertaking.
Mr. Ilorsky well says that if he lias tried to direct the pen, it has been to impart true and useful information, and not to
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