»44 ON THE FOLIATION 



§. 4- 



The prudent hufbandman will above all 

 things watch with the greateft care the proper 

 time for fowing ; becaufe this with the Divine 

 afliftance produces plenty of provifions, and lays 

 the foundation of the public welfare of the 

 kingdom, and of the private happinefs of the 

 people. The ignorant farmer being more te- 

 nacious of the ways, and cuftoms of his an- 

 ceftors, fixes his fowing feafon generally to a 

 month, and to a day ^ whether or no the earth 

 be prepared to receive the feed he little cares. 

 From whence it frequently happens, that the 

 fields do not return what might be expedled, 

 and that what the fower fowed with fweat, the 

 reaper reaps with forrow. Wife oeconomiils 

 therefore in all ages have endeavored to their 

 utmoft to fix a certain time for fowing ; but 

 hitherto their labor has proved fruitlefs. There 

 have been fome, who have tryed to difcover 

 the qualities of the land neceffary for this pur- 

 pofe, by tafte and fmell ; nor have there been 

 wanting to others, who were perfuaded, that 

 the fmell of the earth, and the fila div^ vir- 

 gms*y were infallible figns of feed-time. All 



• I 4o not underhand the meaning ofthefe words. 



which. 



