A Discourse on Agriculture. xxix 



We are more accustomed to the use and effects of water 

 than those of fire ; although all know that heat is as necessary 

 to vegetation, as moisture. Yet we are very little acquainted 

 with the effects of fire on soils ; and experiments should he 

 made to ascertain them. I have experienced its benefits, and 

 have no doubt on the subject. Others are not only doubtful, 

 but prejudiced. On this head European books furnish much 

 information ; and their lessons should be attended to candid- 

 ly. Fire and water are good servants, and should not be suf- 

 fered to be bad masters. It is as unfair, however, to argue 

 against the prudent use of fire, because it produces conflagra- 

 tion and ruin in extreme cases, as it would be to denounce 

 irrigation to its salutary extent, because floods spread desola- 

 tion in their un restrain able course. Denshiring, burning of 

 clay, peat, &c. have been long practiced in Europe, and very 

 little, if at all, resorted to here; though ashes, only one of the 

 offspring of fire, are known to be fertilizing. Mixing soils 

 of different textures is generally approved, and very partial- 

 ly practised. Animal manures are our chief object ; and we 

 neglect those auxiliaries which are in plenty on our farms, 

 and in our power every day. 



The first preparatory step towards the advancement of 

 agricultural improvement's, to satisfy the minds, not only of 

 farmers, but of the community at large, that it is an object of 

 primary importance; and not attainable, in perfection by 

 mere farmers. If this be not accomplished, efforts to introduce 

 any thing like principle or system, will be arduous indeed. 

 A farmer should be considered by himself, as well as by all 

 other members of the community, as one placed in a situation 

 to perform the most beneficial services to the public, by exer- 

 cising a calling in which all other citizens are peculiarly in- 

 terested. He may be, personally no better or worse than 

 others ; but the art in which he is engaged is the most essen- 

 tial of all others, to the general welfare. Until a conviction 

 of this truth operates on the public mind, the progress of im- 

 provement will be lamentably slow. That it is not, now, a 

 general opinion, either among farmers, or other citizens, is, 

 unfortunately for their own interests, too apparent. We have 



