EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



FIRST REPORT. 



I. GENERAL FACTS AND CONSIDERATIONS. 



MOST of my friends are aware of the circumstances which have 

 induced me to undertake an agricultural tour in Europe. The 

 enterprise was suggested among some friends, at the show of the 

 New York State Agricultural Society, in Albany, in September, 

 1842 ; and. upon proposals being issued for its accomplishment, 

 the project met with so much favor as to warrant my sailing for 

 England, in April, 1843. 



Ploughing the sea is somewhat different from ploughing the 

 land ; but under an experienced pilot, and with favorable winds, 

 we made a broad, a deep, and a comparatively straight furrow, 

 throwing off continually floods of jewels from the mould-board ; 

 and in the short space of seventeen days, completed the brilliant 

 line, and unyoked the team in the harbor of Liverpool. Here, 

 for the first time, I set foot in England, the green isle in the 

 ocean, the sight of which had been so long the object of my 

 desire ; the brilliant centre of so many youthful imaginations, 

 the home of my fathers, and the advance-guard if so it may 

 be proper to speak among the nations of the civilized world in 

 the march of human improvement, in learning and civilization, 

 in science and the useful arts, and in all the elements of social 

 greatness and prosperity. 



It would be impossible to describe my emotions on that occa 

 sion. If small things may be compared to great, then, if it were 

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