xxviii A Discourse on Agriculture. 



bears, as irrefragably, the test of experience. I have wit- 

 nessed astonishing effects from its application. But its use 

 is yet in its infancy; and it requires more facts, and longer 

 trial, to warrant any solid opinion, as to its qualities, quan- 

 tities per acre, or kinds of soil, to which it can be most pro- 

 fitably applied. 



Marls of various textures are discovered ; and are coming 

 into use. Lime, of the best quality, we have in exhaustless 

 abundance. The great bodies of plaster in the vicinity of our 

 lakes afford ample supplies to an extensive country. Manures 

 are more generally collected and applied. Our ploughs and 

 ploughing are much improved. Systematical and cleanly 

 farming is increasing j and the grasses are more generally 

 cultivated. 



We have excellent specimens of watered meadows ; but ir- 

 rigation is not carried to the perfection exhibited in Europe; 

 and particularly in the south of France ; where it is, and has 

 been, time out of mind, used not only for grass, but for til- 

 lage-crops, through a great extent of country. And the pro- 

 ducts raise*], with wretched ploughing, and an indifferent 

 style of husbandry, are truly surprising. Birkbeck's account 

 of it is amusing, and highly interesting. 



Drainage of boggy and wet soils (under-draining parti- 

 cularly) is an excellent European practice of which we have 

 but a partial knowledge. 



Warping — (that is, flooding embanked grounds, over 

 which large streams or muddy rivers can be admitted, to en- 

 rich by the deposits which had been held in solution by tbe 

 waters which are both admitted and drained off through 

 flood-gates) might be profitably introduced ; as well as ex- 

 tensive irrigation, in many parts of our country ; and, espe- 

 cially, in our southern states. All these practices are accu- 

 rately described in European books. The practice of warp- 

 ing is mentioned by Arthur Young as an instance of the ad- 

 vantages of agricultural surveys and reports. For until such 

 surreys were made, the knowledge of this practice was con- 

 fined, and had so been for a great length of time, to a .small 

 district in England. 



