STUDY XIII. rji 



quantities of fuch land lie fallow at once, and at 

 other times very little. In thofe years, undoubt- 

 edly, when the greateft part of thofe lands is lying 

 fallow, much lefs corn mud be reaped, over the 

 kingdom at large, than in other years. This 

 fource of diftrefs, which has never, as far as I know, 

 as yet engaged the attention of Government, is 

 one of the caufes of that dearth, orunforefeen fear- 

 city of grain, which, from time to time, fall heavy 

 not on France only, but on the different Nations 

 of Europe. 



Nature has parcelled out the adminiftration of 

 agriculture between Man and herfelf. To herfelf 

 file has referved the management of the winds, the 

 rain, the Sun, the expanfion of the plants ; and fhe 

 is wonderfully exaâ: in adapting the elements con- 

 formably to the feafons : but flie has left to Man, the 

 adaptation of vegetables, of foils, the proportions 

 which their culture oug-ht to have to the focieties 

 to be maintained by them, and all the other cares 

 and occupations which their prefervation, their di- 

 ftribution, and their police demand. I confider 

 this remark as of fufficient importance to evince 

 the neceffity of appointing a particular Minifier of 

 agriculture*. If it (hould be found impoffible for 



* There are many other reafons v/hich militate in favour of 

 the appointment of a Minifter of Agriciiiture. The watering 

 canals abfgrbed by the luxury of the great Lords, or by the com- 



K 2 merce 



