INTRODUCTION. 7 



their true nature or character, " to all cattle, and to the fowl 

 of the air, and to every beast of the field;" and so just and 

 accurate was his perception, that " whatsoever he called 

 every living creature, that was the name thereof." 



In our present imperfect condition, a beneficent Providence 

 has not reserved a moderate success in Agriculture, exclu- 

 sively to the exercise of a high degree of intelligence. His 

 laws have been so kindly framed, that (he hand even of 

 uninstructed toil, may receive some requital in remunerating 

 harvests ; while their utmost fulness can be anticipated, 

 only where corporeal efforts are directed by the highest 

 intelligence. 



The indispensable necessity of an advanced agriculture to 

 the comforts an 1 wealth, and indeed, to the very existence of 

 a great nation, renders it an object peculiarly worthy the 

 attention and regard of the legislative power. In looking 'to 

 the history both of ancient and modern times, we find, that 

 wherever a people have risen to enduring eminence, they 

 have seduousiy enco iragcd and protected this right arm of 

 their strength. Examples need not be given for they abound 

 in every page of their civil polity. 



Our own country has not been wanting in a moderate 

 regard for Agriculture. By wise legislation in our National 

 Congress, every item of extensive agricultural production 

 within the United States, with the single exception of the 

 inferior wools, is believed to be fully protected from foreign 

 competition, by an unyielding and perfectly adequate impost 

 on all such articles, as would otherwise enter into a success, 

 ful rivalry with them from abroad. Many of our subordinate, 

 or State Legislatures have also, by liberal provisions, given 

 such encouragement to various objects, as they deemed 

 necessary to develope the agricultural resources within their 

 jurisdiction. Such have been the appropriations for numer- 

 ous Geological and other state surveys ; the bounties on 

 different articles, as silk, hemp, and some others : and occa- 



