X INTRODUCTION. 



It will be the object of this work to show, howev- 

 er, that the most distinguished Agriculturists have 

 mistaken the true path, and that they have groped in 

 utter darkness. That this assertion is true, I need on- 

 ly point the reader to the worn out lands of many 

 parts of this otherwise flourishing country. Improp- 

 er tillage has reduced them to what they are, though 

 nature never designed that they should wear out. It 

 is unreasonable, it is unnatural to suppose so. As 

 well might we say that many or all the laws of nature 

 are fickle and unstable, as to say that nature intended 

 that the soil, which was intended to feed all animate 

 nature, should soon by a law become incapable to 

 fulfil its office. No; it is the mistaken notions, it is 

 the improper culture of man. Therefore, as observ- 

 ed before, it will be the especial object of this work 

 to explode all such unnatural theories. 



JAMES GASKINS. 



Baltimore. 



