THE FARMER AT HOME 



13 



The wild hordes which successively overran and subdued the fairesv 

 portions of the earth, had little knowledge of, and still less inclination 

 for husbandry. Like all savages, they had the greatest aversion to 

 labor, and their only delight was in idleness and debauchery, war and 

 the chase. Long time is required to change the character and habits 

 of a people, and accordingly agriculture, together with all the useful 

 arts, languished for centuries. But when at length new light began 

 to break in on the nations, it could not a fail to attract the earliest 

 attention, and has been advancing to perfection, and acquiring fresh 

 importance to the present time. 



Agriculture is now probably better understood, than it was by 

 any of the ancient nations. The application of modern science, par- 

 ticularly chemistry, to it, has greatly accelerated its improvement. 

 Britain, especially during the last half century, has made the 

 greatest efforts to advance her husbandry ; and with signal success. 

 The value of her agricultural products has doubled during this period, 

 and actually exceeds those of France, though that country has twice 

 the territory, a third more population, greater natural fertility, and a 

 climate adapted to every variety of vegetable growth. The French 

 agriculture, previous to the revolution, suffered, in common with other 

 species of industry, from the effects of bad government, and a worn 

 out and antiquated system opposed to all change, and therefore hostile 

 to improvement. But, a better state of things has succeeded that 

 great event. The large domains have been broken up and divided, 

 small farms created, vexatious regulations, and burdensome imposi- 

 tions removed, and a general spirit of enterprise and inquiry excited. 

 Lombardy and Flanders have long been celebrated for their flourish- 

 ing agriculture. 



England is indebted to the Flemish farmers, who came over to 

 that country as far back as the Norman conquest, for many valuable 

 improvements. In all parts of Germany, increasing attention is paid 

 to this subject, both by the governments, and by enlightened individ- 

 uals. Nor, has the general spirit of improvement been confined to 

 Europe. In our own country, the condition of agriculture is rapidly 

 meliorating. Societies for the diffusion of useful information have 

 been created, better modes of tillage have been introduced, improved 

 breeds of domestic animals procured, new articles of cultivation re- 

 commended, and men of intelligence and capital are more and more 

 devoting themselves to this most healthful, interesting, and important 

 of all human employments. 



AIR. In Natural Philosophy, is that fluid, transparent substance 

 which surrounds our globe, reaching to a considerable height above 

 its surface ; and this ocean of air is the great laboratory in which most 

 of the actions of life go on ; and on the composition of which they 

 depend. Though invisible, except in large masses, without smell or 

 taste, yet it is a substance possessing all the principal attributes of 



