AN A.D DRESS, &C. XXV 



continued, and shingles, or what are still hetter, tiles or 

 slates be substituted. 



Hitherto the general, or state governments have done 

 nothing for the promotion of agriculture except in an indi- 

 rect way, (viz. by incorporating turnpike and canal compa- 

 nies:) and although the greatest solicitude on the part of 

 rulers, and pecuniary assistance are lost upon a people defi- 

 cient in energy, enchained by superstition, or oppressed by 

 arbitrary regulations; yet when these obstacles to improve- 

 ment do not exist, but on the contrary the energies of the 

 public mind are left unrestrained, and that mind is found 

 to be bent on improvement, countenance from the govern- 

 ment of a country, and occasional pecuniary aid will ren 

 der the most essential benefits to agriculture, by serving 

 as a kind of pledge to the people of the sense entertained 

 of its importance, and by enabling societies instituted for 

 its promotion to reward the meritorious exertions of indi- 

 viduals who have set examples of superior industry, or good 

 management in any way; who have made capital improve- 

 ments at an expence which their own finances could not 

 well bear; or in short, who have in any way promoted 

 the objects connected with agriculture horticulture, or 

 rural economy. — Societies supported merely by the pri- 

 vate subscriptions of the few members who are disposed to 

 join such associations, cannot for obvious reasons be sup- 

 posed able to offer premiums to any extent, while their a- 

 mount to a government even supposing they were all claimed, 

 would not be felt; but as this is an improbable event, the 

 objection which might be made by some persons to the 

 amount of the sum so taken from the public purse, will not 

 hold good, while the benefit and honor derived from the pa- 

 tronage afforded by government would remain, and induce 



