C 14.2 3 



Observations on the propriety of a Farmer living on the 

 produce of his oxvn Landy by James Tilton^ M, D, 



Read February 9, 1813. 



Bellevuey (near Wilmington^ DeLJ Dec. 25, 1812. 

 Dear Sir, 



I have to beg your pardon for omitting so long to 

 contribute to the useful labours of your agricultural 

 society. In return for my negligence, I propose to 

 entertain you with a subject entirely new. Multitudes 

 of writers instruct us how to raise corn, cattle, &c. 

 but I find none, of modern date, who inform the farm- 

 er how to live to the greatest advantage, on the pro- 

 duce of his plantation. I shall attempt this interest- 

 ing subject, with this single apology, that I hope you 

 will not accHse me of vanity or egotism, from the fre- 

 quent reference to myself, since I declare to you, that 

 my object is to convince my fellow farmers, the opi- 

 nions and advice I give are as practicable, as they are 

 reasonable and profitable. Indeed, I cannot commu- 

 nicate ideas, that have been strongly impressed upon 

 my mind bctter,than by interweaving some history of 

 my domestic economy, since I became a farmer; to- 

 gether with the advantages resulting therefrom. 



When I resolved to retire to my little plantation 

 of about 60 acres, it was natural to cast about, amongst 

 agricultural authorities, for advice and instruction. As 

 remarked above, I found many to advise me in the 

 production of grain, stock, Sec. but Virgil alone how 

 to eat and drink. Besides regarding his Georgics as 

 a standard of agricultural science to this day, I was 

 led to consider his Eclogues as recommending agri- 



