[ 40 ] 
is thus called into ekxiftence, the value of the material wrought 
upon is more enhanced, and a. greater value added to. the 
annual produce of the country by this employment of capital 
than by any 2other *. 
Ir need fcarce -be added, that the occupation in which 
capital is moft profitable and labour .moft productive muft 
tend moft' to .promete national wealth. : fae 
i s 
SUFFICIENTLY ‘atisfied of the importance of agriculture, 
let..us. now, inquire of what nature is that knowledge by 
the .exercife, of which fuch great; advantages accrue to fo- 
ciety. 
Is there any difference in the foil of different {pots of 
ground, in confequence of which fome may be better difpofed 
to yield one kind of produé, and fome another? Is it pof- 
fible to render land more fertile by manure; and if fo, 
muft the nature of the manure be accommodated to that of 
the foil? Are particular feafons of the year peculiarly propiti- 
ous for ploughing, for fowing, for reaping, for planting, for 
gathering fruit? Is there any thing intricate in the procefs of 
vegetation, in the growing of corn, in the cultivation of vine- 
yards, in the management of nurferies, in the prefervation 
of 
_ * 6 The work,of nature which remains, after deduGting or compenfating evety 
« thing which can be regarded as the work of man, is feldom lefs than a fourth, 
‘Cand frequently more than a third of the’ whole produce. No equal quantity 
«© of labour employed in manufa€tures can ever occafion fo great a reproduc~ 
& tion.” —Smith. 
