10 



ors ; Spain, once so distinguished for her science, and 

 her intelligence ; Egypt, once renowned for her arts 

 and her power ; South America, once preeminent for 

 her honour and her warriors ; the valley of the Missis- 

 sippi, ivith its present population, illustrate this truth. 



The destinies of futurity are not in our keeping. 

 What consequences may follow from the great moral 

 efforts, now making to renovate and purify the Western 

 valley, time only can disclose. But, sure as the connec- 

 tion between cause and effect ; unless these, or other 

 causes hitherto inoperative, shall exert a mighty and a 

 controlling influence, this great and proud valley must, 

 and ivill, hereafter, slumber, inactive, unblessed. It is, 

 however, the duty of the Patriot, as well as the Chris- 

 tian, to hope ; that the religion of the Cross may effect, 

 what science and philosophy, with all their votaries, 

 have so long, in vain, attempted ! 



In addition to barn-manure, the New England hus- 

 bandman should be unwearied, in collecting Avhatever 

 will quicken or support vegetation. Lime is a valua- 

 ble manure, and highly deserving notice. Mud from 

 ponds, or sunken grounds, common salt, with every kind 

 of vegetable, and animal substance, may be profitably 

 used in compost ; especially, if exposed to the action of 

 swine. Changing crops is often useful. Each species 

 of crop seems to extract from the soil a nutriment pe- 

 culiar to itself; so as not to exhaust, against the de- 

 mands of a different, succeeding, crop. Alternate 

 ploughing and seeding is a valuable substitute for man- 

 ure ; and an economical method of keeping land in 

 heart. However highly other grasses may be valued 

 in other counties or States; I am satisfied, that no 

 grass, with us, is so enriching to the soil ; or nutricious 



