C 31Q 3 



Article LVI. 



Qn the Origin and Progrefs of Agriculture 

 17} different Ages and Nations. 



[By the Secretary to the Society.] 



Gentlemen, 



AS the advancement of Agriculture is at all 

 times of the higheft importance to the hap- 

 pinefs and profperity of the inhabitants of this 

 kingdom, it has very properly become the objedl 

 to which your views as a Society have been prin- 

 cipally dire&ed, 



The earth was confidered by the anticnts as the 

 Mother of Plenty. Hence, in the early ages of 

 fuperftition and polytheifm, the firft libations in 

 their feafts were offered to her ; and thofe who in 

 any manner diftinguifhed the arts of cultivation 

 were numbered among their demigods, or fecond 

 clafs of deities. They were rewarded with the 

 higheft honours while living; flatues were erected 

 to their memory, and facrifices were offered to, 

 them, when dead. 



But although a conduct- fo extravagant proved 

 tliat the minds of the people were grofsly enve- 

 loped 



