A Discourse on Agriculture. xix 



art, which insure the comforts and wealth of its professors ; 

 whilst they guard and cherish the freedom and happiness of a 

 country, Messed with unassailable liberty protected by its 

 most impregnable rampart, wise, impartial, and purely ad- 

 ministered LAW. 



It is not to be understood, that the aid required for the Art, 

 is intended for the mere personal emolument of the farmer. 

 Those who take an incorrect view of the subject allege, that 

 « farmers are doing well enough, and want no assistance." 

 Every one acquainted with political economy, knows well, 

 how extensively it adds to the general advantage of the com- 

 munity, when the same portion of labour is made to produce 

 an increased number and quantity of supplies. And, eminent- 

 ly distinct from all other employments, that of the husband- 

 man brings into existence, by a kind of creation, additions to 

 the public stock drawn from the earth. Whereas most, if not 

 all, other occupations are imployed on materials pre-existing. 

 Farmers are truly called by the best writers on political 

 economy, " the productive class ;" whilst all others are justly 

 styled, "the unproductive classes" of the community. 



It is not exclusively necessary to cite opinions, or proofs, 

 from great authorities, that whilst able and intelligent far- 

 mers enlarge the mass of property and wealth in the society 

 in which they live, they also increase the public security and 

 happiness. It will be seen at once, by every one who passes 

 through a country productively and neatly cultivated, that 

 quietude, contentment, morals and exemplary submission to 

 law and good-government, are strikingly conspicuous. But 

 in a district inhabited by a negligent, indolent and ignorant 

 population, the picture is disgustingly and even dangerously 

 reversed. So that it behoves every good citizen, for his own 

 security, as well as from motives of patriotism and moral ob- 

 ligation, to assist in furnishing the means of warning the neg- 

 ligent, stimulating the indolent, and enlightening the ignorant 

 husbandman. 



I have been requested to discuss the subject of « agricul- 

 " ture and its improvement in the United States," 



