Soi/. 17 



soils, as a merchant does the worth of the several commodi- 

 ties in which he deals ( 43 ). Good soils, it has been justly re- 

 marked, seldom yield a scanty produce; whereas poor soils 

 are with difficulty rendered productive. In short, a favour- 

 able soil and climate, are deservedly accounted, " The Jirst 

 " riches of a coiw'ry ( 44 )." 



The necessity of paying attention to the nature and 

 quality of the soil, need not therefore be dwelt upon. By 

 ascertaining its general properties, improving its good qua- 

 lities, and obviating its defects, the profits of a farmer may 

 be greatly increased. He must, in general, regulate his 

 measures accordingly, in regard to the rent he is to offer, 

 the capital he is to lay out, the stock he is to keep, 

 the crops he is to raise, and the improvements he is to 

 execute. Indeed, such is the importance of this subject, that 

 no general system of cultivation can be laid down, unless 

 all the circumstances regarding the nature, and situation of 

 the soil and subsoil, be known ( 45 ) ; and such is the force of 

 habit in the management of land, that if a farmer has been 

 long accustomed to one species of soil, he will seldom be 

 equally successful in the treatment of another ( 4<5 ). 



From inattention to the nature of soils, manures have of- 

 ten been improperly applied, and many foolish, fruitless, 

 and expensive attempts have been made, to introduce dif- 

 ferent kinds of plants, not at all suited to them. This igno- 

 rance has likewise prevented many from employing the 

 means of improvement, in cases where the expense would 

 have been trifling. From ignorance also, of the means cal- 

 culated for the proper cultivation of the different soils, many 

 unsuccessful, and even pernicious practices have been adopt- 

 ed. 



It may be proper to add, that a variety of soils, which at 

 first sight seems to be a defect, is in reality a remarkable 

 proof of the goodness and wisdom of Providence ; for there 

 is hardly any soil so ungrateful, as not to reward the labours 

 of the husbandman, if he will only bestow proper care on its 

 culture ; and as each soil has particular articles, for the 

 growth of which it is peculiarly calculated, a greater variety 

 of useful substances are thus obtained ( 47 ). 



To devise an arrangement of soils, at once comprehensive 

 and distinct, is no easy task. The distinctions ought to be 

 simple and obvious, without regard to minute differences, 

 which are of no material importance. On the whole, it would 

 appear, that soils may be advantageously classed, for practical 

 purposes, under the following general heads : Sand, Gra- 



