l8oo. "Pracl'ice cf Kurat Science, t^.j. 



any thing like fixed and preclfe rules. If we turn our 

 eyes upon tlie cultivators of the ground, we will difcover, 

 that the great body of the proteflion are rafeher influenced 

 by cuftom and prejudice, than guided by rational mo- 

 tives ; while, oti the other hand, many fcientiiic and en- 

 lightened men are as often defe6tive in the practical de- 

 partment of this important art. The firil clafs generally 

 view theoretical knowledge with contempt ; v/hile the o- 

 ther is ready to place too much dependence upon it, and 

 to negle6t the folid and ufeful information to be learned 

 in the fchool of experience. 



I am inclined to think, that the conduil of both clafles 

 equally deferves cenfure ; and that a good farmer mud 

 neceflarily be intimately acquainted both with the princi- 

 ples and pra£lice of rural fcience. Unlefs he is acquaint- 

 ed with principles, it is impofllble for him to fearch after 

 improvement •, and, if he is unacquainted vv'ith pra6tice, 

 his knowledge can be of little, or no real utility. It is 

 evident, that every art will advance in dire£l proportion to 

 the means of information poflelTed by thofe who are con- 

 cerned in carrying it on •, and experience fully proves, 

 that, in every part of Britain, improvements have gone 

 hand in hand with the progrefs of knowledge. Hence, 

 the fcientific farmer, if he bellows fuitable attention to 

 praftice, will neceflarily make a greater figure in his pro- 

 feffion, than one whofe knowledge is altogether limited to 

 the operative branches of hufbandry. 



It is unqueftionable, that a very great change has, with- 

 in thefe fev/ years, taken place in the character and con- 

 duit of Britifh farmers *, which promifes to be of imiport- 

 ant fervice ' to the caufe of agriculture in general. In- 

 ftead of being taught to hold a plough, to drive a cart, or 

 to fow (which, in former times, were confidcred to be 

 the only qualifications necelTary for a farmer), we notice, 

 that a liberal education has, of late, been given to thofe 

 intended for that profefiion ; which muft neceflarily ex- 

 pand their minds, and remove every prejudice. In thofe 

 diftricts where fuch advantages are not enioycd, little or 

 no alteration has taken place in the pra(9:ice of hulhand-. 

 ry j which continues in a fhationary pofition, without any 

 attempts being ufed to keep pace with the great improve- 

 ments in other fciences. 



S 3 Perhaps, 



