OUR RIVBK HARVESTS. . 2b8 



wheel of fortune which may cut ofif the supply, and 

 which might deprive one nation of food just as anothei 

 nation is deprived of cotton. Beyond all value, there- 

 fore, is the power of being independent with regard to 

 food ; and the nation which can discover a fresh 

 indigenous supply has made no small step in her 

 prosperity. 



We have long ago realised the value of the land as 

 a food producer. The ancient forests are falling before 

 the enclosure acts, like grass before the mower's scythe ; 

 the wide commons are gradually changing into meadows 

 and farm-yards ; and their gold-blossomed furze bushes 

 and purple heather are forced to make way for the less 

 picturesque, but more valuable, corn and turnips ; and 

 even the very banks of railway cuttings are economised 

 by thrifty workmen, and yield their crops to the strong 

 hand and skilful brain. Chemical agricultiu-e has now 

 advanced to the lank of an acknowledged science, and 

 the most unpromising soil is rendered fertile by the 

 judicious addition of certain elements which the desired 

 crop demands, but which the ground does not possess. 



We have partially realised the value of the sea 

 which surrounds our island, and have learned that the 

 edible treasures of the ocean are priceless as inexhaustible. 

 Let the fisheries of herring, sprat, flat fish, cod, mackerel, 

 and pilchard be destroyed, and the shock to English 

 prosperity would be severe as the shattered credit of a 

 bank to a trader who has entrusted a gi-eat part of his 

 capital to its keeping. 



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