EULOGY. XV 



principle for their guide, except that the same field ought 

 not to be taxed to raise two successive crops of flax. 

 The principal, and almost the sole, object in view was, 

 to realize as great immediate returns, as possible, from 

 the smallest amount of labor, without any regard, what- 

 ever, to the exhausted condition in which they might 

 leave the soil ; much like the traveller, who seeks the 

 rapid accomplishment of a long journey, by driving so far, 

 the first day, as to destroy his horse. 



The new system of agriculture, with which the name 

 and reputation of Judge Buel is essentially identified, 

 consists in sustaining and strengthening the soil, while its 

 productive qualities are put into requisition ; in rendering 

 the farm every year more valuable, by annually increasing 

 both its products and its power of producing ; like the 

 traveller, who, instead of destroying his horse, the first 

 day, should so regulate his motion, and administer his 

 supplies of food, as to enable him to make additional 

 progress every successive day, until the completion of 

 his journey. This new system, — new, I mean, in this 

 country, — has been principally carried into effect, by 

 manuring, by draining, by good tillage, by alternating 

 crops, by root culture, and by the substitution of fallow 

 crops for naked fallows. 



In testing the principles, embraced in the new system, 

 Judge Buel first made the practical application to his 

 own farm. He compelled his sand-hills to stay at home, 

 and be less obedient to commotions in the atmosphere. 

 He was particular in observing the efiect produced upon 

 the soil by his mode of management. After satisfying 

 himself, by actual experiment, of the truth and advanta- 

 ges of the new system, he became desirous of rendering 

 it as generally known as possible. With that view, the 

 paper, now so well known as ' The Cultivator,' was first 

 commenced, under the auspices of the State Agricultural 

 Society, in March, 1834. A committee of publication, 

 consisting of Jesse Buel, Doctor .James P. Beekman, 

 and James D. Wasson, were appointed by the society, 

 and, under their direction, .Judge Buel being the real 

 editor, ' The Cultivator' first made its appearance, in 



