462 CHREOTECHNICS. 



the Georgics of Virgil, the Natural History of Pliny, and the frag- 

 ments of Columella, and other writers, which have come down to us, 

 show in what high estimation this art was held in ancient Rome ; 

 where generals and dictators returned to the plough, after the tri- 

 umphs of the battle field. 



By the Roman conquests, their knowledge of Agriculture was 

 disseminated, not only throughout southern Europe, but through 

 France, England, and perhaps a part of Germany. This art lan- 

 guished, every where, during the Dark Ages, on account of the gene- 

 ral insecurity of property, and the transient interest felt by cultivators 

 in lands which were not their own. Agriculture began to be studied 

 methodically, in the principal countries of Europe, about the middle 

 of the 16th century. The earliest modern work on this subject, 

 was that of Crescenzio of Bologna, entitled, In Commoditm Rura- 

 lium ; written in 1300, and printed in 1478. The earliest English 

 work on Agriculture, worthy of note here, was the Book of Hus- 

 bandry, by Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, printed in 1523. The Scottish 

 Agricultural Society was formed in 1723 ; and the British Board of 

 Agriculture was established in 1793 ; through the exertions of Mr. 

 Marshall, and Sir John Sinclair. Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Agri- 

 culture, is doubtless the most valuable treatise on this subject which 

 has yet appeared in Great Britain. 



In France, there were, in 1761, no fewer than 13 agricultural 

 societies, and 19 auxiliaries. An agricultural survey of that kingdom 

 was completed in 1789, by Arthur Young ; and more recent general 

 views have been given by Chaptal, Dupin and others, exhibiting 

 decided improvements. A national garden was established, for the 

 trial of experiments in Agriculture ; but whether it is still flourish- 

 ing, we are not informed. The state of this art in Germany, has 

 been described, by Hodgson, and others, as generally and rapid- 

 ly advancing. In our own country, owing to the abundance of 

 uncultivated land, this art has been less refined upon, than in the old 

 world ; except, perhaps, in the vicinity of our cities and large towns. 

 The subject is however growing in interest; and the writings of the 

 late Judge Buel and others, are an earnest of the attention which it 

 cannot fail to excite, as our. population increases. 



We may distribute the branch of Agriculture under the heads of 

 Agricultural Implements; Preparing Lands for Tillage; Fertilizing 

 the Soil ; The Cultivation of Vegetables ; and The Rearing of Ani- 

 mals. 



1. On the perfection of Agricultural Implements, including 

 Machines, depends much of the improvement of which this art is 

 susceptible. "We may commence their enumeration with the cart, 

 waggon, sled, sleigh and wheelbarrow ; all of them useful for various 

 purposes of transportation. The Pennsylvania waggon, is remark- 

 able for its great size, its long body, with sloping ends, and its 

 covered top, of canvas, supported on bent hoops or ribs ; it being 

 drawn by four or six horses, and used for carrying heavy loads to a 

 considerable distance. Next to these vehicles, we may mention the 

 axe, and the saw, for forest work, or felling and cutting up trees ; 

 the plough, for turning up the ground; the harrow, for pulverizing 



