-fTHK 



AGHICULTURAL MUSEUM- 



OjMnis feret omnia tellus. virg. 



^- ■- - ■ . ' lag 



Vol. I.] Georgetown, Ca. Feb. 6, 1811. (No. 16. 



For the ^Agricultural Museum. 



^'UiMBER III. 



When we consider the advantages which almost ev«? 

 ry nation has received from the introduction and cul- 

 ture of vegetables, not originally natives of its soil, we 

 can scarcely hesitate for a moment in expressing our 

 belief, that to this source is to be attributed more of our 

 comforts and domestic enjoyments, as well as national 

 wealth, than to any other. The introduction ofthepo- 

 tatoe alone into the British dominions, has not only kept 

 them from absolute famine during their present war, 

 but has been the means of rapidly encreasing th 

 population of Ireland, under all the restrictions and op- 

 pressions which Jealousy could devise, and tyrany im- 

 pose. The effect wliioh the introduction of this one ve- 

 getable has had upon the population of that island, is sufli- 

 cienttohave calmed even Malthus's desponding spirit; 

 it may have seduced him into the sin of matrimony, and 

 eased his conscience as to overstocking the world. 

 The seeds of comfort and suj)port to man, scattered over 

 the whole earth, were by a beneficent Cieator int;'nded 

 for the common good of its iishabitants ; we are endowed 

 wi*h intelligence to perceive, and industry to collect and 

 propagate them, as the wants and progress of society- 

 shall require. Their introdnction and cu ture, by adding 

 to the common stock of useful articles, will be the 

 means of still further enlarging our views of homaa 

 nature, and our capacities for those enjoyments, which 

 may render the wi^rid to our successors more of a Pa* 



