2 DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURE, 



How frequently and how largely do weeds, bushes^, 

 brambles, uneven surfaces, unsightly stumps, and stones- 

 scarred with many a mark of plough and harrow teeth, 

 enter into the composition of our rural scenery; and 

 this not in new settlements alone, but in older and 

 long inhabited districts! 



Even if we suppose that we have our farm thorough 

 ly cultivated in the manner first described, is it suffi 

 cient? No, the art of cultivating the soil involves 

 something beyond this. The thoroughly accomplished 

 farmer must study the nature of various crops, until 

 he finds those which are best suited to his land; if 

 these are not such as pay him best, he must seek to 

 bring about some change by means of which he can 

 profitably grow those that will. This done, he must 

 set himself to increase the quantity grown per acre, 

 for on this increase depends his profit. It costs little 

 more to cultivate the ground for a crop of 30 bushels, 

 than for one of 10 bushels. 



The main end seems to be, in numerous cases, to 

 obtain indeed a great yield of valuable produce, but 

 with the least possible investment of money. Many, 

 too many farmers go entirely upon this principle; they 

 ought, however, to think farther, and then they would 

 see that there is another point worthy of considera 

 tion. That point is, the keeping of the land in good 

 condition. Cheapness in obtaining a present crop is 

 not every thing : the prudent man will have an eye to 

 the future; he will see that if he always takes away 

 without adding, the richest land must ultimately be 

 come poor, or at least greatly reduced in value. 



The man who does this is like that one in the old 

 fable who killed the goose that laid him daily a golden 

 egg. He thought that there must be many eggs within 

 the goose, but there was of course only one ; and he 

 found, when it was too late, that he had destroyed the 

 source of his riches in a most foolish and shortsighted 



