APPENDIX. ir 



difenjes in eatile% hy correPJng the injahhrity of the fail^ furRifh proof of 

 what I advance. 



This double motive infpired me with an ardent defire of exploring 

 and explaining, with all pofiiole precifion, the prefent ftate of rural econo- 

 my in Zurich ; with its imperfcftions and capability of improvemento 

 In this purfuit I again repeat niy happinefs in being meniber of a fociety, 

 which makes this interefting fuhjed the principal and conflant end ol 

 rts conferences and inquiries. 



I muft nevertheJcfs acknowjrdge, ihat the Biethods hitherto purfaed, dG> 

 not appear to me» the beft calculated to anfwcr the purpofes of improve- 

 irsent xvi farming. — An eager purfuit after new experiments, prevail* 

 aiDongft thofc, whofe knowledge of the ancient huib-indry is fupeificiaJ 

 and incompetent. Some there are who flatter themfclvcs with being con- 

 fidercd as the great improvers of agriculture, fro.n the introduflionoi foroc 

 unknown fpecies of corn or artiScial grafs : others expt-d fame from the 

 invention of Tome new innplement or different me(hod of tillage : whilft 

 a third fort hope to acquire it by untried objefis of attention ; fuch a« 

 the culture of mulberry-trees for filk-worms, &:c. — in oppofiticn to this I 

 apprehend the £rft principle we ought to fel our upen, is a perfevSl know- 

 kdgeof the nature of foils ; with a competent infighi into fuch methods of 

 cultivation as are praQifed by the moft induftrious farmers, by which the^ 

 often double their produccp compared with their reareft nejghboTb'„ 

 What remains is to procure a free communication of thefe roethods ; and 

 to endeavor by all pofllble means, to excite a laudable ecnulation in farm- 

 ers. — This I (hould think the rapft eligible plan for re^orin^ agriculture 

 ffmong us. The moft circumforibed genias may follow pradicai rules,, 

 unmolifted by any obftacle 3 whiUt new in7ea:ior.s are attended with a- 

 crowd of dii?tculiics. 



I hsve no defire to depreciate the a'.erit of thofe generous chlzensv, 

 who have appropriated a confiderablc parr of the fjpefp.oity of their it%- 

 co.re to the procuring of new-invented impleetisnts of hu^indry ; with 

 f^vera! for^s of grain and grafs-f^edsj trees and fhrubs, unknown in our 

 clfmate ; of v/h'ich they have made trials on their ^^i^'Ci cttatf.s before ihcj?- 

 were rendered public. Thefe fpirited attentions, cf whcfs good effet^ta 

 we have already reaped much advantage, uodoubredly merit our com- 

 loendation and acknowledgement. The introduction of potatoes and 

 tutkey-corn (or maize,) and of turf (or peat) for manure, &c. may be com- 

 prifed in the number.— Yet this plan for the improvcaienc of agriculture, 

 appears more uncertain, and infinitely Jlaxver in it? progrefs, than that 

 which I have ventured to recommend. It is more uncertain^ becaufe mert 

 fiie too apt ;o embellifii a favorite theory in their writings. The olje^s 



ot 



* A farmer can feldom do better^ ivhen moming into a nt^o) f J nation i thais- 

 •Ifernje the praBices of the moffuccefsful of hii neiv neighbors ; ejpec tally if 

 h» is obliged to employ laborers obtained upon ihefpzt. It 'Txillhe i^fj tf/^ 

 iernMarJi gradually to refart tQ his Qivn idr^s, E, 



