512 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



I begin by saying that the agriculture of Flanders is superior 

 to that of any country which I have visited. I do not say that 

 in England, Scotland, France, and Switzerland, I have not seen 

 single farms as well cultivated as any I have seen in Flanders : 

 certainly in the Lothians in Scotland, in Northumberland, in 

 Norfolk, in Lincolnshire, in Bedfordshire, in Berkshire, in Cam 

 bridgeshire, in Staffordshire, and in other places, I could single 

 out particular farms and considerable districts where the cultiva 

 tion is carried to a high degree of perfection and productiveness; 

 but taking into view the large portion of Flanders which I have 

 visited, for neatness, exactness, and thoroughness of cultivation, 

 for the evenness and magnificence of the crops, for the propriety 

 and exactness of the rotation, for the economy and excellent 

 modes of applying their manures, and for the obvious and dis 

 tinguished improvements made in the soils, this country seems 

 unsurpassed. It is not a little humiliating that this has been 

 done by a people comparatively without education, with no pre 

 tensions whatever to what is called agricultural science, and with 

 few implements, arid those far from being the most improved. 

 To say, however, that they are without education and agri 

 cultural science, is a great misnomer. They have the surest of 

 all science, that which grows out of long experience, and which 

 comes from the application of the mind, sharpened by necessity. 

 to whatever is passing within its own province, and avails itself 

 of all the lessons which that experience suggests. I am far from 

 thinking that with them the ultimatum of improvement has 

 been reached. I should regret to find any where, in any science 

 or art, the door of inquiry closed but at present they may con 

 gratulate themselves with having reached a degree of improve 

 ment which many other countries, with superior advantages in 

 other respects, have not as yet approached. Though their im 

 plements have been imperfect, there is yet an obvious reason 

 why they have been effectual. The great agricultural instru 

 ment in Flanders is a spade. We are contriving all kinds of 

 implements which shall lessen human labor. We want all sorts 

 of machines which shall, if possible, do the work of or by them 

 selves. We want that they should be impelled by wind or by 

 steam, or by brute force ; and we would be glad, as far as possi 

 ble, to dispense with the necessity of personal superintendence. 

 The Flemish farmers reluct at no personal superintendence or 



