278 071 Mangel- Wurtzel 



*' to you, published in the Farmer's Journal^) will have 

 ** added to the present favourable opinion of that valu- 

 ** able root : of which, Mr. Curwen, of Cumberlandy 

 ''asserts, he has raised forty to fifty tons, per 

 "acre. I find, in JEssex, north-east oi London^ it has 

 '' become a regular part of the produce of many farms; 

 ** and much approved." 



Mr. Ciirwen is one of the most respectable men of 

 his country. Therefore, I should have had no doubt 

 of the fact he asserts ; on his single authority. But I 

 have had a multitude of similar European facts ; — 

 which, in the state of incredulity generally shown by 

 our farmers, on all points new to them, I did not ven- 

 ture to mention. 



One who asserts uncommon facts, is, most frequent- 

 ly, on all subjects, discredited. In agriculture particu- 

 larly, it seems that caution is peculiarly required.- — 

 The exemplary prudence of one, who, in the most ex- 

 alted and important concern, promulgated truths, com- 

 pared to which, all others are trifling indeed ; should 

 be recollected, and humbly imitated. — ''/ have yet 

 *' many things to say unto you ; but ye cannot bear them 

 ^''now^ 



The small specimens of my modern experiments, 

 which I have candidly detailed, are, I think, encourag- 

 ing. But, I can, after mentioning Mr. Curwen^s autho- 

 rity, widi more confidence declare, that they bear but 

 a feeble comparison with my former experience. Much 

 less can they be considered as complete tests, of the 

 extent to which the culture of this root may be carri- 

 ed. Yet it must be relied on as a powerful auxiliary ; 

 and not a dependence in chief. 



