Ji Discourse on Agriculture xi 



ry — the test of character in the agriculturist; — and should be 

 the pride and boast of all respectable husbandmen, 



One being asked, « 4 what was the best manure V 9 replied, 

 "animal sweat;" meaning tillage, industry and intelligent 

 and repeated culture. All these are hostile to weeds and 

 pests, andare certain modes of destroying them. I mention, in 

 my outset, these impediments in practice, because we have 

 mental weeds and pests, to wit, ignorance, apathy, obstinacy, 

 and prejudice, to subdue, before we can reap any fruits from 

 our labours, to advance the interests of husbandmen, by sug- 

 gesting improvements in their art. 



The beneficent author of our existence, always tempers his 

 justice with benevolence and mercy. He has enjoined labour 

 and persevering industry on the cultivators of the earth, not 

 only as a penalty on human disobedience, but as the most 

 sure preservatives of health ; and the safest means of insu- 

 ring happiness, innocence and comfort. To the industrious 

 husbandman, labour is a blessing ; and the results flowing 

 from it are inestimable rewards. His constant occupation 

 either softens, or prevents, the misfortunes inseparable from 

 our nature. It brings along with it, contentment with mod- 

 erate gains, unknown to the possessors of superabundant 

 wealth ; and secures him from the seductions to which integ- 

 rity is exposed; when men thirst after riches, without labour- 

 ing for their acquirement. His employment is placed in a 

 scene, for the most part, removed from the speculations of the 

 idle and the visionary. Whilst he obeys the divine in- 

 junction, " to eat his bread in the sweat of his face," his efforts 

 of obedience give him health and vigour to enjoy it. Yet, al- 

 though his corporeal powers are thus strengthened, he re- 

 mains deficient in mental acquirements. 



This is not intended as a mere declamatory personal eulogy 

 on those devoted to the practice of husbandry, the employ- 

 ment of the immediate descendants from our first parents. It 

 is meant to shew the claims, which the yet defective art is en- 

 titled to establish, on the possessors of wealth and power; and 

 more especially on those who enjoy, without corporeal exer- 

 tions, that is, who do not " eat their bread in the sweat of their 



