224 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



the improvements made in manufactures or the mechanic arts, 

 Accident has produced nothing. The dull, plodding laborer 

 originates nothing, any more than the beast which he drives. 

 The present advanced state of agriculture as a practical art, all 

 the improvements which have been effected in it, are due to the 

 highly-intelligent minds, the men of science, of learning, of 

 observation, of skill, who have applied their attention, and have 

 devoted their time, talents, and fortunes, to it. 



The pioneer in the improved agriculture of the United States 

 was Jared Eliot, of Connecticut an educated clergyman, whose 

 essays have a permanent value, and may be read with advantage 

 even at the present day. The author of the New England 

 Farmer s Dictionary, a most valuable book, published half a 

 century since, and which has rendered an immense service to 

 agriculture, was the Rev. Samuel Deane, of Maine. John 

 Lowell, who contributed far more than any other individual to 

 the improvement of agriculture in the United States, was an 

 accomplished lawyer, a man of science and of taste, and as much 

 distinguished for his intellectual rank and attainments as he was 

 eminent for the highest virtues which could adorn his character 

 as a man. Aaron Dexter, the beloved physician, an eminent 

 chemist in the very imperfect state of the science, a man whose 

 name was a synonyme for kindness, and to whose memory I shall 

 be pardoned for here recording the humble tribute of my most 

 grateful affection and respect, was an eminent friend and pro 

 moter of agricultural improvement. Fessenden, Buel, and Gay- 

 lord, were all men of highly-cultivated minds, stored with 

 scientific lore, distinguished for their zeal in the cause of an 

 enlightened agriculture, and honored with the power, which 

 they used with so much zeal and efficiency, of conferring 

 immense benefits upon the agricultural community. While 

 even this Report is in progress, the grave has closed over the 

 remains of a devoted friend to agricultural improvement in Mas 

 sachusetts a man of the highest order of intellect, of a mind 

 rich in various knowledge, and of profound legal attainments ; 

 and for his personal worth, his public spirit, and private virtues, 

 surpassed by none in his claims upon the affection and respect 

 of his friends and fellow-citizens.* On the English side of the 



* William Prcscott, Esq., LL. D. 



