500 On the Means of Improving a Country. 



CHAP. V. 



ON THE MEANS OF IMPROVING THE AGRICULTURAL STATE OF 

 A COUNTRY. 



" Agriculture is the great art, which every government ought to protect ; 

 every proprietor of land to practise ; and every inquirer into nature to im- 

 prove (')". 



Introductory Observations on the Importance of Agriculture. 



THE prosperity of a nation, possessing an extent of terri- 

 tory sufficient for maintaining its inhabitants, chiefly de- 

 pends ; 1. Upon the quantity of surplus produce derived 

 from the soil, after defraying the expenses of cultivation ; 

 2. Upon that surplus produce obtaining such a price at 

 market, as will encourage reproduction ; and, 3. Upon the 

 cultivator having such a command of capital, as may enable 

 him to carry on his business with energy. 



1. The surplus produce arises, from that inestimable qua- 

 lity possessed by the soil, which enables it, in proportion as 

 it is skilfully managed, to furnish maintenance, for a greater 

 number of persons, than are required for its cultivation. 

 Thence proceed, the profits of the farmers ; the rents of the 

 landlord ; the subsistence of the manufacturer, and mer- 

 chant ; and the greater proportion of the income of the 

 state. That surplus marketable produce therefore, is justly 

 considered to be, the main spring, not only of political power, 

 but also of personal enjoyment. When that surplus pro- 

 duce does not exist, (unless in circumstances of a very pe- 

 culiar nature) (*), there can be no flourishing towns; no 

 military or naval force ; none of the superior arts ; none 

 of the finer manufactures ; no learning ; none of the con- 

 veniences and luxuries of foreign countries ; and none of 

 that cultivated and polished society at home, which not only 

 elevates and dignifies the individual, but also extends its 

 beneficial influence throughout the whole mass of the com- 

 munity ( 3 ). What exertions ought not then to be made, 

 and what encouragement ought not to be given, to preserve, 

 or to increase so essential a resource, the foundation of our 

 national prosperity ! 



In order to form some idea, of the amount of the surplus 

 marketable produce, on very different soils, under a judi- 



