9^ JgricuUure. [Chap, VIII. 



ing revival, was also of short duration. Mr. E\ie- 

 ]yTL was the first writer by whom his countrymen 

 became again inspired with just sentiments on this 

 subject; and by whose exertions agriculture was 

 enabled, once more, to claim its former dignity. 

 Indeed, after the peace of Aixia Chapelle, in 174'8, 

 most cf 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 im4>ortance, and 

 assiuning more of the regular and consistent aspect 

 of a science. 



In the course of the last Mty years many capital 

 and most useful im^provements have been intro- 

 duced into agriculture. Individuals of wealth and 

 taste, and learned societies have embarked in plans 

 for its encouragement, with a dej^ree of enlightened 

 zeal which was never before displayed. Many in- 

 genious and judicious publications have suggested 

 new plans and objects of cultivation, have diifused 

 a knowledge of well directed experimv'?nts and ob- 

 servations, and have excited a general spirit of emu- 

 lation in pursuing this kind of improvement. Phi- 

 losophers, in this century, for the first time, have 

 imited with the practical cultivators of the earth, 

 in exploring new means of increasing the fertility 

 of the soil, and consequently of increasing the 

 wealth and the comforts of man. 



In zeal for agricultural improvements, and in 

 tlie success with which they have been pursued, 

 during the last age. Great Britain certainly holds 

 the first place. Next to her stands France, and 

 afterward come in succession, Italy, the German 

 empire, &c. In Holland, Spain, Portugal, Turkey^ 



