O F T R E E S. 145 



which, although perhaps they are not wholly 

 without foundation, are yet infufficient for ob« 

 taining the end we aim at. For the experience 

 of many years has taught us, that the feeds of 

 one and the fame fpecics fown in the fame 

 ground at different times do not produce equal 

 crops. We have feen even a great difference 

 between what was fown in the morning, and 

 the afternoon. Thus alfo while one plant is 

 vigorous and florifhes, another of the fame 

 nature, and raifed in the fame foil withers, and 

 dyes, The farmer often throws the caufe of 

 fcarcity upon Providence, that means to punilh 

 an ungratefull people, by oixiering the fields 

 to mourn in weeds, and the corn to mock the 

 the threlhers toil with empty hufks -, but it may 

 be with truth afferted, that this furmife is 

 often without foundation. He ought rather to 

 complain of his own imprudence, and accufe 

 himfelf that his granary is not better ftored. 



We look up to the ftars ", and without rea- 

 fon fuppofe that the changes on earth will an- 



fwer 



" This looking up to the ftars for this purpofe, was tranf- 

 mitted down to us by the Greeks and Romans from ^gypt, 

 where the feafons being much more regular than in thefe nor- 

 thern parts, might be as fure a guide in that countrey, as any 

 they could follow. But an aftronomical calendar perhaps may 

 L not 



