274 On the importance of Irrigation, 



frequent will be the showers. 1 tiike it therefore to be 

 sound reasoning, that irrigation would increase, rather than 

 diminish the streams of water. 



There is no branch of business connected with agri- 

 culture, more pleasing and instructive, or from which 

 more useful hints might be drawn, than in ryising, con- 

 ducting, and spreading water over a farm. There is cer- 

 tainly no subject, in my opinion, that can more profitably 

 and usefully enQ:age the attention of the Philadelphia 

 Society for promoting Agriculture. *' This great and beau- 

 " tiful city,'^ falls more particularly under your guardian- 

 ship, than that of any similar society in the state ; that 

 your society are earnestly engaged in promoting its pros- 

 perity, no one ever doubted, and should this essay afford 

 a single idea in aid of your laudable purpose, I shall be 

 highly gratified that a few moments of time have been 

 employed so usefully. 



I am very respectfully, 



Samuel Hains, 



Dr, James Mease, 



[Mr. Hains may be, commendably too zealous in his opi- 

 nion of Philadelphia becoming the greatest and most populous 

 city in the United States, though the chances are much in its 

 favour. But there are the strongest reasons to believe, that it 

 will be at no distant period, both great and populous, in propor- 

 tion to its increase of supplies from remote regions of our state; 

 brought by internal transportation, improved or created by the 

 laudable spirit, now generally spread among our citizens, to 

 promote cheap and effective communications with our city, by 

 roads, canals, and internal navigation of our numerous rivers, 

 hitherto most lamentably neglected. No state in our Union 

 affords more materials for manufactures, and inviting objects of 

 commerce, either in raw or manufactured condition : and if 

 commerce cannot be profitably employed in one, it will be ine- 

 vitably engaged in the other. Mr. H's description of the coun- 



