AGRICULTURE. S39 



LESSON 107. 

 Agriculture, 



Agriculture is the science which explains the means of 

 making the earth produce, in plenty and perfection, those 

 vegetables which are necessary to the convenience or sub- 

 sistence of man. Its practice demands a considerable know- 

 ledge of the relations subsisting between the most important 

 objects, of nature. It is eminently conducive to the advan- 

 tage of those engaged in it, by its tendency to promote their 

 health, and to cherish in them a manly and ingenuous cha- 

 racter. Every improvement made in the art must be consi- 

 dered as of high utility, as it facilitates the subsistence of a 

 greater proportion of rational and moral agents ; or if we 

 suppose the number to be unincreased, furnishes them with 

 greater opportunities than could be possessed before, of ob- 

 taining that intellectual and moral enjoyment, which is the 

 most honourable characteristic of their nature. The strength 

 of nations is in proportion to their skilful cultivation of the 

 soil ; and their independence is secured, and their patriotism 

 animated, by obtaining from their native spot all the requi- 

 sites for easy and vigorous subsistence. Not only to raise 

 vegetables for the use of man, but for those animals also 

 which are used as food, is obviously, therefore, part of the 

 occupation of the husbandman ; and to assist him in his 

 operations, other animals are to be reared and fed by him, 

 to relieve his labours by their strength and endurance of ex- 

 ertion. In cold, and comparatively infertile climates, the 

 services of these creatures are particularly important, if not 

 absolutely indispensable, and their health and multiplication 

 become, therefore, objects of great and unremitted attention. 



Since the errors of ancient husbandry have been correct- 

 ed, and vulgar superstitious traditions exploded, agriculture 

 has been gradually improving. A solid and rational system 

 of the art has been founded upon clear and intelligible prin- 

 ciples. The application of natural history and chemistry to 

 it has greatly accelerated its improvements. Inquiries have 

 been made into the causes of the fertility and barrenness of 

 land, the food and nutriment of vegetables, the nature of 

 soils, and the best modes of meliorating them with variouB 



