AgricuUiire. S77 



Evelyn was the first writer by whom his country- 

 men became again inspired with just sentiments 

 on this subject', and by whose exertions agricul- 

 ture was enabled, once more, to claim its former 

 dignity. Indeed, after the peace of Aix la Chapelle, 

 in 1748, most of the nations of Europe, by a kind 

 of tacit consent, applied themselves to the study 

 of this art, which has been, from that period to 

 the present, gradually increasing in extent and im- 

 portance, and assuming more of the regular and 

 consistent aspect of a science. 



In the course of the last fifty years many capital 

 and most useful improv^ements have been intro- 

 duced into agriculture. Individuals of wealth and 

 taste, and learned societies have embarked in 

 plans for its encouragement, with a degree of en- 

 lightened zeal which was never before displayed. 

 Many ingenious and judicious publications have 

 suggested new plans and objects of cultivation, 

 have diffused a knowledge of well directed expe- 

 riments and observations, and have excited a ge- 

 neral spirit of emulation in pursuing this kind of 

 improvement. Philosophers, in this century, for 

 the first time, have united with the practical cul- 

 tivators of the earth, in exploring new means of 

 increasing the fertility of the soil, and, consequentlv^ 

 of increasing the wealth and the comforts of man. 



In zeal for agricultural improvements, and in 

 the success with which they have been pursued^ 

 during the last age, Great-Britain certainly holds 

 the first place. Next to her stands France, and 

 afterwards come in succession, Italy, the German 

 Empire^ &c. In Holland, Spain, Portugal, Tur- 

 key, and Russia, improvements have been few, 

 and slowly advancing. It is true that even in the 

 last mentioned countries, some efl?brts have been 

 made, by associations and otherwise, to promote the 

 best methods of cultivating the earth; but various 



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