Eulogium on William West. 151 
cited in this country, and even in Europe, scarcely any 
works of much note had appeared on agriculture, ex- 
cept those of Du Hamel, De Lisle and Tull. The me- 
rit of Mr. West was therefore the greater, because with- 
out the numerous helps which the modern farmer may 
have recourse to, derived from the works of these who 
have detailed the result of their experience, or from the 
good examples of their neighbours, he ventured to alter 
a bad system, and to establish a new one which the 
experience of near half a century in this country has 
shewn to be correct, and which has added to the pe- 
cuniary resources, and agricultural reputation of our 
State. 
The chief part of the cultivated land in Pennsylvania, 
was in a course of tillage, and grain commanded but a 
small price. The business of grazing as already stated, 
was confined to a small district, and the inquiries he 
made satisfied him as to the superior profit arising 
therefrom, when compared to tillage. From this cir- 
cumstance therefore as well as from a partiality for that 
pleasing branch of husbandry ; he resolved as soon as 
circumstances would permit, to lay down his land to 
grass.— What an undertaking at that time! and how 
was this to be accomplished ? the introduction of red 
clover had taken place only a few years before, and 
with the exception of a few districts, was confined to 
the vicinity of Philadelphia: for prejudice, the great 
enemy to all improvements, had opposed its progress 
among the cultivators of the soil. The great advantages 
however of this valuable grass, derived from the im- 
mense burthen which it produced, were soon seen by 
Mr. West, and he determined to avail himself of them. 
