188 ON ROTATION OF CROPS. 



crops. The assolements of a Belgic farm, we have ob- 

 served, extend from ten to fifteen years, the farm consist- 

 ing generally of about forty acres ; in Tuscany they are 

 usually circumscribed to fourteen acres, with a soil infe- 

 rior to that of Belgium ; yet the more ardent sun of Ita- 

 ly produces a result nearly similar. In Tuscany the far- 

 mer is not obliged to rear his crops in slow succession ; 

 they are poured upon him, as it were, from the cornuco- 

 pia of abundance : oranges, lemons, olives, melons, 

 peaches, corn, and vegetables spring up together, to de- 

 light his eyes and to heap his board. 



It is remarkable that these two countries, now so dis- 

 tinguished for agriculture, were once no less celebrated 

 for their comme v ce. 



Emily. This seems reversing the natural order of 

 things ; for, in general, it is the abundance of agricultu- 

 ral produce which leads to the establishment of manufac- 

 tures and trade. 



Mrs. B. That is certainly the most usual mode of 

 progressive improvement. On the other hand, when a 

 people enrich themselves by commerce, it is a very natural 

 consequence that they should lay out some of their wealth 

 in the improvement of land. Then it so happened, that, 

 as Europe advanced in arts and civilization, commerce, 

 which began first to flourish in Tuscany and Belgium, 

 and was, indeed, almost exclusively confined to those 

 countries, became more generally diffused. Political 

 events also tended to diminish the trade of these coun- 

 tries ; and, when it fell into decay, agriculture proved a 

 fortunate resource for the wealth and industry of the 

 people. They transferred to this employment not only 

 their capital but that spirit of speculative enterprise, wise- 

 ly regulated by those habits of calculation and of order, 

 which distinguished them as merchants ; and, when en- 

 gaged in any hazardous experiments, the regularity of 

 their accounts gave them exact results, and showed them 

 whether they ought to be prosecuted or abandoned. This 

 union of energetic vigor and methodical arrangement has 

 achieved the wonderful enterprises of these excellent 

 agriculturists. 



1033. What comparison is made between agriculture in Belgi- 

 um and Tuscany! 1034. How is the farmer of the latter ena- 

 bled to see his crops'? 1035. What is mentioned as remarkable 

 in these two countries! 1036. How does Mrs. B, account for this 

 change! 



