xxiv A Discourse on Agriculture. 



With the superior advantages we enjoy over older nations, 

 to increase both our means and our population, we have eve- 

 ry thing to hope, and nothing to fear, but disunion and anar- 

 chy, which are no more to be apprehended, than are the vi- 

 cissitudes to which all other nations are liable. No church 

 dues, or overwhelming poor-rates, tentures, or services load our 

 industry and labour. Leases, and their long or short dura- 

 tion, do not stand in our way. Proprietors of the soil we in- 

 habit, we have only to be docile 9 and learn the best modes of 

 cultivation. All our exertions enure to the benefit of ourselves 

 and our descendants. And although it may be attended with 

 some delay to the progress of improvement, that our farmers 

 can live well with indifferent husbandry ; and thus necessity 

 seldom stimulates invention, or exertion, as it does in Eu- 

 ropean countries ; yet long may this incentive be averted ! 

 Other excitements urge us on to agricultural improvement. 

 A propensity for plentiful enjoyment prevails with most ; and 

 they, with common industry and a moderate share of intelli- 

 gence, will be gratified. Hopes of wealth, and its att« ndant 

 distinction, in a country wherein there are no orders, or class- 

 es in society, superior in degree, will animate others. But 

 to attain their object, it behoves them to promote every meas- 

 ure calculated to advance our agriculture to its highest state 

 of perfection, if they wish to acquire even a reasonable and 

 moderate share of riches. Let it, then, be the joint endeav- 

 our of all our agricultural fellow citizens, be their views and 

 wishes moderate or extensive, so to pursue, encourage and 

 improve their art, that when the facts, which are necessary to " 

 fcrm a just opinion, are collected, they may prove highly ben- 

 eficial to themselves, and both honourable and profitable to 

 their country ! Yet, whensoever these facts appear, however, 

 in particular instances, they may be meritorious, and, in the 

 aggregate, encouraging ; I much fear, that they will exhibit, 

 in the details, numerous and disgusting proofs of ignorance in 

 principles, deficiencies in practice, squalidity in appearance 

 of foul fields and crops, misapplication of labour and moans, 

 indolence and imbecility, requiring all the aid, whid 1 all the 

 friends to, and promoters of, the art of good husbandry, can 

 bestow ! 



