were consequently managed without either skill or honesty. Besides, what good could be expected to accrue from such dreadful measures? Who would ever think of hindering corn from fetching a good price, in order to increase the quantity of it; to make the necessaries of life more chargeable, in order to make them cheaper; or to facilitate monopoly, in order to prevent it? "Whenever a nation has begun to decline, it seldom stops. The loss of population, of manufactures, of trade, and of agriculture, was attended with the greatest evils.” The end in other arts is ever distant and removed. It consists not in the mere conduct, much less in a single energy; because the science of agriculture consists in the just result of many energies, each of which are essential to it. If therefore we tax any of these energies, however trifling it may seem, we suspend that energy; our minds become enervated, we feel no longer inclined to pursue our course, but leave it to others, who are unacquainted with its difficulties, to prop a falling state "These "times want other aids." REQUISITES TO IMPROVEMENT. 1. A more enlarged policy on the part of landlords, in respect to permanent improvement, and a greater latitude to the spirited agriculturalist. 2. A better system of leases, which should always be local. 3. A more diffusive knowledge in tenants. 4. A more intimate acquaintance with the use and application of the different sorts of manures, and implements of husbandry. 5. A more correct idea as to form and times of ploughing, manuring, and seeding. 6. Better arrangements in farm yards and buildings. 7. A more extended cultivation of the soil. 8. A more general inclosure of common fields, commons, heaths, &c. at a less expence. 9. A more general taste for planting upon a large scale. 10. An attention to the breeds of sheep, cattle, and swine. 11. A greater attention to the repairs and conduct of the highways. 12. A simplification of the poor laws. 13. A restriction as to the increase, and a reduction, where practicable, of the present enormous extent of public houses. 14. A complete revision of the public markets. 15. An alteration in the manner of excising hops, which ought to be ad valorem. 16. An increased attention to under drains, to the proper cleansing, and deepening of ditches, in all the heavy parts of the county. 17. A better management in the woods and coppices of the county. 18. Above all, an abolition of the present system of tithes, which is the great bane to every agricultural improvement. CONCLUSION. In the foregoing papers, I have endeavoured to collect the best opinions and practices on the various subjects dilated therein, which the nature of them would permit. I have carefully compared them with the customs and practices of other people and other places, and I have endeavoured to draw therefrom, and to infuse into the whole, such well authenticated facts and reasonings, as will, I hope, make them subservient to the purpose for which these volumes are designed. In the account of the several experiments which are to be found dispersed through the work, it may perhaps be objected, that the conclusions which I have deduced from them, are not so complete as might be wished. I am ready to admit, that it may be so; but I had always in view that notable opinion of the immortal Newton, "that although the arguing from experiments and observations by induction be no demonstration of general conclusions, yet it is the best way of arguing which the nature of things admits of, and may be acted upon as so much stronger, by how much the induction is more general." And although I have in some instances spoken in positive terms, and in others been very diffuse and prolix, it must be remembered that the subjects I have undertaken to examine are by no means indifferent to the public; that I consider them to be intimately connected with the progress of agriculture, and the welfare of my country; and that a natural propensity to medi tate on such subjects, in their several relations to these points, have called into action a degree of ardour which I could not suppress; and made it impossible for me to treat them with negligence, however irksome they may appear to those who may not view them in the same light. In undertaking the present work, I have been well aware at the same time, that notwithstanding the extensive consideration which I might bestow on each subject, there would be some disadvantages which I should unavoidably find myself involved in. This I found but too true. There are many persons who seem so thoroughly satisfied with the knowledge which they have acquired of the several parts of agriculture, and think that as they have been so frequently discussed, little more can be added, that they seem inclined to set themselves down content with that portion which they possess. The number of volumes which in all ages have been written on it, at once prove that it is a mine which cannot be exhausted. My claim however to indulgence must arise from the faithfulness of the picture, and an ardent desire to render more perfect a science, which, though previously cultivated to very excellent purposes, will, with all the assistance we can give it from time to time, fall very short of perfection. However slowly individuals advance in the attainment of scientific knowledge, yet when an opulent nation like this loves and patronizes the arts, they further its progress, and promote excellencies in every department. The department of agriculture is nearly coeval with its sister science horticulture, which was the Terra potens armisque atque ubere glebæ. It remains now for me to offer the warmest ef- To those who are disposed to cavil without con- "Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view, Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame, Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend." INDEX. |