TO THE SECOND EDITION. 11 



ought therefore to be resorted to without delay, in order 

 that a natural barrier may, if possible, be raised, which 

 rival nations, with all their advantages, shall not be able 

 to pass. The interests of the manufacturer are as much 

 at stake as those of the farmer, because one cannot exist 

 independently of the other. But should our utmost 

 endeavours fail to produce provisions at continental prices, 

 the manufacturers will be as anxious for the restoration of 

 artificial barriers as the most vehement protectionist. 



But the trial, at all events, must be made. Agricul- 

 tural safety now depends upon increased production ; and 

 he who refuses to march in the ranks of improvement, is 

 sure to be cut off. It is true that Lord Nelson put the 

 glass to his blind eye, and yet won the battle. Under 

 protective laws we might do the same ; those laws how- 

 ever are abrogated, and the enemy, alas! is within our 

 camp. Farmers must therefore open both eyes, and look 

 around for new weapons to repel him. 



Bnt some may exclaim, the farmer is in too deep a 

 sleep ! I reply, " Not so in Norfolk." And if I may 

 judge from an extensive correspondence with influential 

 agriculturists in every part of the kingdom, a general 

 awakening to the future is taking place. 



The subjects for consideration, therefore, must first be 

 those treated of in this work, because they relate to the 

 two fundamental principles of agriculture; viz. the se- 

 curing, from na,tive resources, an adequate supply of 

 manure for land, and food for cattle : principles glaringly 

 violated under our present system of husbandry. 



I allude not to Norfolk alone, where rivulets indeed 

 freely run from the fold-yard, but also to the rivers of 

 manure that I have seen flowing off in other counties, 



