t ^75 ] 



for its principal improvements, not only to the 

 vatural abilities of the cultivator, but to an edu^ 

 €ation formed upon an acquaintance with other 

 branches of fcience. 



Whenever any of the above circumftances fail, 

 Agriculture mud feel a ftagnation : — in proportion 

 as they are regarded, will be the progrefs made in 

 it, and its fuccefs. 



This appears to be the cafe in fa6l; for thefc 

 circumftances, efpecially the lad of them, were 

 not heretofore fufficiently attended to by this na- 

 tion; which will fully account for the defedlive 

 ftate of hufbandry in former times, its flow pro- 

 grefs, and its prefent improvements s while /'/ alfo 

 points out the mojl probable method of carrying it Jlill 

 nearer to perfection. 



If we expedt to find Agriculture in a thriving 

 ftate before the Reformation, we fhall be difap- 

 pointed : It was indeed confidered of importance; 

 but the fruit of a man's labour was not Jecured to 

 him ; and the nation was immerfed in grofs ignorance. 

 The feudal conftitution, the military difpofition of 

 the people, and the tyranny of popilh ecclefiaftics, 

 were unfriendly to flcilful and vigorous cultivation. 



There 



