294 On Agricultural Tours, &c. 
eee 
the most spirit and success. The particular objects of 
inquiry to be given to him in charge by the society ; 
without precluding him from collateral pursuits of the 
same nature, particularly mineral productions and sta- 
tistical details, connected with the leading object. 
Such a survey, when carefully taken of one county 
or district, with the closest attention to accuracy, would 
not only facilitate similar undertakings among our- 
selves, and possibly (as in the case of Arthur Young) 
at private expence ; but excite a similar spirit in the 
other states. I consider the utmost accuracy an insepa- 
rable ingredient in the utility and success of the plan. 
The detection of an error, even of little importance, 
would excite doubts as to'the rest of the work ; and 
diminish its popularity in the neighbourhood to which 
the error related. 
From this general subject let me now proceed to a 
particular one, on which the society has very justly 
bestowed a portion of its attention. 
A cheap and certain substitute for the expensive 
fences, in use among us Is truly desirable. 
The pleasing and benevolent St. Pierre, comparing 
architecture with pianting, observes, that the moment. 
the building is finished it begins to decay ; while the 
plant as soon as it is left, begins to improve, increase, 
and reward the hand that set it in the ground. I have 
not the book with me and am not sure that 1 quote cor- 
rectly. ‘Che thought, however, is as I state it; and noth- 
ing can be more beautifully just ; nor more applicable 
to the difference between a live fence and a dead one. 
But there is certainly some great impediment in the 
way of raising good hedges with us. In very few parts 
