xxviii Outlines of a Plan^ for establishing' 



of promising abilities, were sent thither, to be instructed in 

 the arts of husbandry, the breeding of cattle, &c. and to 

 gain a practical knowledge on all subjects connected Avith 

 this interesting, delightful and important business, on which 

 the existence, wealth and permanent prosperity of our coun- 

 try so materially depend. 



9. Although it would seem that a great portion of this 

 plan has reference to the older settlements of the state, yet 

 in fact, many of its most useful arrangements will apply to 

 new settlements, in an eminent degree. These settlements 

 are, for the most part, first established by people little ac- 

 quainted with a good st}de of husbandry. The earth, in its 

 prime, throws up abundant vegetation, and for a short period 

 rewards the most careless husbandman. Fertility is ante- 

 cedent to his efforts ; and he has it not to re-create by ar- 

 tificial means. But he is ignorant of the most beneficial 

 modes whereby he can take advantage of this youthful vi- 

 gour, with which his soil is blessed. He wastes its strength, 

 and suffers its riches to flee away. A bad style of cropping, 

 increases the tendency of fresh lands to throw up weeds, and 

 other noxious herbage ; and that luxuriance, which with care 

 and system might be perpetuated, is indulged in its own de- 

 struction. It is discovered, when it is too late, that what 

 ^vas the foundation of the support and wealth of the impro- 

 vident possessor, has been, by his ignorance and neglect, like 

 the patrimony of a spendthrift, permitted, and even stimu- 

 lated, rapidly to pass from him in wild extravagance. 



The products of nature, in our new countries, seldom 

 have been turned to account. The timber is deemed an in- 

 cumbrance, and at present is perhaps too much so. The la- 

 bour and expence of preparing for tillage are enormous ; and, 

 when the sole object is that oi cultivation, very discourag- 

 ing.=^ European books give us no lessons in these operations. 



*At the present time (1808) the expence of clearing- land is much les- 

 sened, owing to the g-i-eat influx of population in our new countries ; foi- 

 fiTe dollars per acre, land may be completely cleared of timbei'. 



