148 THH BEE, OR Feb. l6, 



th^ human mind, that one virtuous and confpicuous 

 charafter vv;-l more eftedlually promote tlie caufe of 

 morality, than an hundred mere declaimers, in or out 

 of the roftrum. So, one good farmer will more exten- 

 iively ditVeminate his improvements in agriculture, than 

 an hundred theories. I have long wilted forfome pub- 

 lic ertablifhments, to extend and promote the art of huf- 

 bandry : The focieties have done much ; but they have 

 left more undone. And to any perfon who is much 

 converfant with farmers, tlie caufe of tlieir failure is 

 lufficiently obvious. The fame objections will in 

 part apply to the many valuable treatifes upon rural 

 economics. Much praife is due to Mr. Young, to Mr. 

 Marflial, and though laft, not leall, to you, Sir. Since I 

 have beeij informed of Mr. Pulteney's defign, to efta- 

 blilli a regular courfe of lectures upon agriculture in 

 this univerlity, the plan has met my full approbation ; 

 and no endeavour Ihall be wanting to promote its ge- 

 neral utility, fo far as the exertions of an individual 

 can avail. The univerfal teftimony that is born of 

 the ability of the profeiTor, affords the faireft hopes of 

 fucceis ; and his well known modefty and candour, 

 muft highly prejudice the public in his favour. At 

 prefent, j.e muft neceflarily ftand in need of much affift- 

 ance, not only in point of practical information, but of 

 countenance and fupport from the neighbouring gentle- 

 men. Much of the fuccefs of any new inftitution de- 

 pends on the outfet. I own mjfelf an enthufiaft in the 

 caufe, from my full conviflion of its certain utility, if 

 well conduced, and fteadily fupportcd A numerous 

 and refpeflable attendance is the firft ubjedl ; the fe- 

 cond, free and full communications of authentic expe- 

 riments, and real and tried improvements in the me- 

 thods of agriculture, as well as defcriptions,- drawings, 

 or models of the different inftruments which are found 

 uleful. and which are reafonably fuppofed to be better 

 tlnn thofe commonly in ufe. To communicate thefc 

 will bf necelTary. It is certainly the intereft of the 



