As xvell as of deterioi'ated Animals. 39 



edly destroyed or stinted by vermin, by too long cultiva- 

 tion of the same species on the same field, or other caus- 

 es; or animals are deteriorated, by disease, or impercep- 

 tible causes, let an entire ne^v course^ and species of crops ^ 

 be adopted ; and a different breed of the same kind, or 

 of another description of animals, be substituted. In a 

 lapse of time, the same career may be ran over again. 

 This is but extending, through the whole scene, the 

 lessons of experience, taught by nature. A continual 

 sameness of crop, in the same field, soon produces de- 

 generacy and poverty. Successions and changes, are the 

 steps to prosperity. Instead of uselessly repining un- 

 der the visitations, with which we are occasionally, and, 

 for our listlessness, deser\-edly punished ; when the most 

 apparently contemptible insects, desolate our fields, and 

 blasts and diseases disappoint our hopes by frequent re- 

 currences, we should profit, by mementos, thus strongly 

 marked for our instruction. Growing wiser by misfor- 

 tune, we should be convinced — that 7iature calls loudly, 

 for her expected and salutary change, of the objects of out 

 industry and care.^ 



Belmont, August ^Oth, 1806. 



^ It seems almost unnecessary to mention, that, in this 

 change, the quality of the soil must be consulted, and the course 

 adapted accordingly. Nature delights in change ; yet she 

 will not be violently forced. In a new clearing, neglected, or 

 not judiciously managed, it is curious to observe the infinite 

 variety of plants, spontaneously thrown up. Herbaceous 

 plants, arc products of the first efforts, to clothe the surface ; 

 after the timber has been removed. These are generailv, 



