106 A^^riculture. [Chap. VIII. 



for encouraging the necessary inquiries; have invited 

 i'rec communications from' all classes of citizens ; 

 and by these means have brought to light many 

 instructive facts and doctrines, which the exertions 

 of detached individuals could scarcely have deve- 

 loped. It is, doubtless, to the intluence of these 

 associations tliat we are to ascribe much of that 

 })reeminence ia agriculture over all other ages, 

 whicli the eighteenth century claims. 



The improvements which have taken place in 

 the agriculture of the United Slates, during the 

 last twenty or thirty years, are yery great. Their 

 flirmcrs, it is true, are far from having kept pace 

 with their European brethren in enterprise, and 

 the adoption of nevv^ and profitable modes of culti- 

 vation. Many of them obstinately adhere to prac- 

 tices Avhich have been completely exploded; and 

 neglect others that are better, though recommended 

 by the fullest experience. But if much remain to 

 be done, much has also been performed towards, 

 the correction ofahis evil. Within a few years 

 past, societies for the promotion of agriculture 

 have been formed in all the principal States in the 

 Union ; gentlemen of learning, observation, and 

 propert}-, have zealously embarked in this inter- 

 esting cause ; he adoption of transatlantic im- 

 provements is gradually becoming more common ; 

 and the aspect of a large portion of the country 

 indicates a considerable increase of enterprise and 

 ot taste in husbandry. The number of Americans, 

 howcNcr, who have contributed to the advance- 

 incut of agriculture by their writings is small. 

 Among these may be mentioned chancellor Li- 



