8 GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT. 



and they are not permitted to act in opposition to 

 the laws of nature with impunity; whenever, 

 therefore, they presume to interfere with the 

 operations of nature, with a view to produce any 

 beneficial or certain effect, they must pay all due 

 deference to her laws ; all attempts to produce 

 sudden and abrupt changes, and wide extremes, 

 must be avoided : by assisting nature certain ob- 

 jects may be obtained, but attempts to force or 

 oppose her, generally produce disorder, and 

 often destruction. 



These preliminary observations naturally lead 

 to the three following grand divisions of the 

 subject : viz. 



The breeding and raising of vegetables j 

 The breeding and rearing of animals ; 

 And, as connected with both these, The 

 cultivation of the earth, or the producing and 

 preparing food and lodging for both. 



In this order I shall proceed to consider and 

 arrange my observations. 



