INTRODUCTION. 



AGRICULTURE is doubtless one of the oldest, most honorable 

 and important pursuits among civilized nations. Without it 

 the food of man must have been limited to the flesh of wild 

 animals and the spontaneous productions of the earth : Com- 

 merce could not exist to any extent; the arts and sciences 

 would be almost unknown ; and society could not advance in 

 improvement beyond a refined state of barbarism. But the 

 culture of the soil enables men to produce more of the neces- 

 sary food than they require, so that a part only are required 

 in this pursuit, while the remainder are enabled to turn their 

 talents and ingenuity to some other useful calling, the products 

 or services of which are given to the agriculturist in exchange 

 for food. 



This is the origin of the division of labor, which is at the 

 foundation of all political economy and true governmental 

 policy : this division and subdivision of labor is adopted more 

 extensively the more a nation becomes enlightened and pros- 

 perous. Without such distribution of pursuits, little wealth 

 could be accumulated by nations or individuals. In order 

 that every man should be independent of the services of all 



