MEANS OF IMPROVING OUR HUSBANDRY. 63 



and three quarters per cent., while our population 

 has increased in the ratio of six per cent, per annum ! 

 If such has been the deficiency in our grain-grow- 

 ing, new and fertile districts, to meet the wants of 

 our increasing population, how much greater must* 

 that deficiency have been in the exhausted soils of 

 old settled districts ] Many portions of our country, 

 which once exported grain, have, by bad husbandry, 

 become dependant upon the comparatively new set- 

 tlements, or upon foreign supplies, for this indispen- 

 sable necessary of life. This remark will apply to 

 almost our entire Atlantic border. Will any math- 

 ematician tell us how long it will require, according 

 to the disproportionate ratio of increase between 

 our population and our means of subsistence, to re- 

 duce us to a state of absolute dependance, or to a 

 state of national want and famine ? 



It is apparent, from the examples of improvement 

 which are witnessed in many districts of our coun- 

 try, that we CAN improve the general condition of 

 our agriculture if we will adopt a wise and ener- 

 getic policy. Nay, we have a demonstration of the 

 practicability of doing it in the now palpable benefits 

 of the law to improve our agriculture, passed in 1819. 

 That law involved an expenditure of 40 or $50,000, 

 and expired in 1824. It was found fault with by 

 many from political motives, and by more from a 

 spirit of envy in those who either had not the en- 

 terprise or the talent to compete successfully for 

 the rewards which it gave to industry and skill. 

 And besides, the law, in some instances, was badly, 

 we may almost say corruptly, executed. Yet, under 

 all the disadvantages of want of organization, of in- 

 experience and abuse, has not that expenditure been 

 like manure spread upon our soiU Did not that 

 law excite a laudable emulation among the whole 

 farming community, and bring into action more skill, 

 more industry, and more improvement 1 Has it not 

 been instrumental in greatly improving our farm 



