136 AGRICULTURE. 



with reference to the period that has inter- 

 vened since it ranked as an independent state, 

 or even looking back to the very dawn of its 

 civilization, perhaps unparalleled in the his- 

 tory of nations. 



It has not been my province to speak of its 

 extensive commerce, or its growing manufac- 

 tures. Its agriculture was the chief object of 

 my attention, and in that I have seen an im- 

 measurable source of wealth, naturally attract- 

 ing much of the capital and a vast proportion 

 of its own population, and affording also an 

 alluring invitation to the inhabitants of other 

 countries, and more especially the British 

 farmer. 



That there is much room for improvement 

 in the practice of American agriculture, I have 

 endeavoured in some respects to point out ; 

 and it is an important and encouraging consi- 

 deration, that the defects calling for remedy in 

 a great measure proceed from the excellence 

 of the soil and climate, which, operating so 

 spontaneously in production, have as yet left 

 in abeyance those exertions which, as is exem- 



