1 8 33 • Remeiv of Peehles Suvjcy, ill 



the unenlightened farmer, who a6ls according; to thefe principles, 

 knows more of real agriculture than the moll fcientific philo- 

 fopher. * 



^Mr Findlater.adds, * But though the theory of agriculture is 

 fo very little advanced, many parts of eftablilhed practice feem 

 abundantly juilified by their general fucccfs.' Here we tliink 

 he fpeaks more to the purpofe ; for unlefs we afUime that know^ 

 ledge is gained by intuition, it mull be gathered from obferva- 

 tion and experience. The general fummary of the practical 

 principles of agriculture which follows, is given with precifion, 

 and conveys a high idea of the author's difcernment. 



But it would occupy the whole of this number, were wc to 

 prefent a complete analyfis of this intereflingwork. We fliall there- 

 fore content ourfelves with a rapid view of its moll prominent 

 parts, and conclude with a few remarks. 



The author has proceeded upon this plain and obvious maxim, 

 * Tliat the befl mode of enfuring the invention and profecutiou 

 of the mod advantageous meafures, is an arrangement which 

 fhall communicate to thofe on whom their execution is devolved 

 a fufficient perfonal intereft in the invention and execution.' To 

 this maxim, except in one folitary inilance, he has uniformly 

 adhered. He is likewife hoflile to rellriclions in every Ihape, 

 and even to legillative interference ; thinking, with truth, that 

 private interell is the moil powerful motive to individual exer=- 

 don. 



' Left to themfehes all find their level price. 

 Potatoes f verfes, tiirnips, Greek, and rice^ 



Thefe lines, taken from the Purftdts of Literature, ftand as a 

 motto in the title-page, and furnifh a fair fample of the fenti- 

 ments which run through the whole work. 



We obferve that Mr F. is a keen friend to leafcs, and, from 

 the inftances quoted by him, we are difpofed to think, that ma- 

 nifold advantages would accompany an extenlion of that tenure. 

 On the Nidpath eflate, where leafes of 57 years duration had 

 been granted, it appears that more meliorations have taken place, 

 than upon eftates poiTeiled upon a fliorter tenure ; and that this, 

 under a parity of circumllances, mull univerf ally take place, we 

 iliould confider as an axiom. If permanent and fubflantial improve- 

 ments are neceifary, it is morally impoflible that they will be 

 executed when the poffefTion is held for a lliort period ; and un- 

 lefs fuch are performed by the landlord, they mull remain un- 

 executed. In' arable farms, wdiere the great and leading im- 

 provements already exill, we will not fay that long leafes are 

 abfolutcly neceffary ; but, in every county where agriculture is 



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