CHAP. III.] CABBAGES. 225 



tivation of them, in America, will be a work of 

 lime. A proposition to do any thing new, 

 in so common a calling as agriculture, is looked 

 at with suspicion; and, by some, with feelings 

 not of the kindest description; because it 

 seems to imply an imputation of ignorance in 

 those to whom the proposition is made. A 

 little reflection will, however, suppress this 

 feeling in men of sense; and, those who still 

 entertain it may console themselves with the 

 assurance, that no one will desire to compel 

 them to have stores of green, or moist, cattle- 

 food in winter. To be ashamed to be taught is 

 one of the greatest of human follies ; but, I 

 must say, that it is a folly less prevalent in 

 America than in any other country with which 

 I am acquainted. 



190. Besides the disposition to reject novel 

 ties, this proposition of mine has books to con 

 tend against. I read, last fall, in an Ameri 

 can Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 

 " greatly enlarged and improved," some obser 

 vations on the culture of cabbages as cattle- 

 food, which were well calculated to deter a 

 reader of that book from attempting the cul 

 ture. I do not recollect the words; but, the 

 substance was, that this plant could not be cul 

 tivated to advantage by the farmer IN AMERICA. 

 This was the more provoking to me, as I had, 



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