INTRODUCTORY. 335 



the husbandman s artificial Nature. But the antagonism 

 of wild Nature became gradually less effective as fast as the 

 cleared areas became larger and the uncleared smaller. Even 

 still, however, weeding while the crops are growing forms 

 a considerable element in the cost of farming; and clear 

 ing the ground and burning the weeds after harvest forms 

 a further element of cost : to which add that large parts of 

 crops are often destroyed by injurious insects. Thought of 

 these facts will still more impress us with the immense nat 

 ural opposition to the cultivation of the soil in its early 

 stages. 



726. To that developed system now named agriculture, 

 in which the rearing of animals and plants is carried on 

 simultaneously in such manner that each aids the other, 

 more obstacles still were at the outset opposed. The sup 

 porting of animals on wild pastures widely scattered was ex 

 cluded when cultivation of the ground began. Only such 

 habitats were available as furnished grass or roots within a 

 moderate area. A constant supply of water, too, became 

 needful, since the daily driving of cattle and sheep to re 

 mote drinking places was impracticable. Further, it was 

 needful that at no great distance there should be wood for 

 fuel, implements, and the building of habitations. Hence 

 the fit localities were comparatively few. There was requi 

 site, too, some progress in the arts. Before the advantages 

 yielded by animals of draught could be made available, a 

 rude implement for turning up the soil had to be invented ; 

 and cutting tools of such kinds as admitted of considerable 

 force being used had to be fashioned. No considerable area 

 could be properly cultivated until some appliance for dimin 

 ishing the labour of carrying in crops and carrying out 

 manure, had been devised : probably at first a sledge. Then, 

 too, the protection of domestic animals from robbers, brute 

 and human, required a fold; where, also, manure could be 

 collected. 



