PREFACE. XI 



This sufficiently corroborates the propriety 

 of the criterion by which the writer formed 

 his opinions of practical agriculture in the 

 United States. 



But, as to a certain extent confirming these 

 opinions, it may be useful to notice that, in 

 his address, Mr Biddle goes on to enquire 

 why it is that with all the natural advan- 

 tages the farmers of Pennsylvania possess, 

 THE ENGLISH FARMER BEATS THEM ? and 

 he ascribes this mainly, first to a want of taste 

 for agriculture as a profession, and secondly 

 to the Pennsylvania farmer not employing suf- 

 ficiency of capital in his business. 



Now these, it will be found, are included 

 by the writer, among the causes to which he 

 imputes the imperfect condition of agriculture 

 in the United States, inasmuch as he has in- 

 culcated the propriety of granting there, what 

 in this country are termed improving leases, 

 in order that thereby the expenditure of ca- 

 pital may be encouraged and rendered safe, 

 and a race of farmers by education and profes- 

 sion, may be established. 



