We find also, in sacred history, frequent allusions to the 

 culture of the earth. Plowing^ sowings reaping^ thresh- 

 ings seed-time^ and harvest^ and other like expressions are 

 used; showing, that agriculture was early and success- 

 fully in use. 



We know also, that, by the longevity of that period, 

 the earth was early and rapidly peopled, and cities 

 builded ; and that this immense population could not 

 have been sustained ; or those cities builded, without 

 the knowledge and the aid of agriculture. 



We know also, that there could have been no com- 

 merce, without an interchange of the productions of the 

 earth ; and, that where agriculture has not made some 

 advance, arts and manufactures have no place. 



Until a people, by occupation or habit, become fixed 

 to some spot, as their home ; they have no need of houses 

 or barns ; or of implements of husbandry ; or of smiths 

 or mechanics to construct them. Among the natives of 

 this country was found no mechanic, manufacture, or 

 commerce. And this is common to all uncivilized nations. 



It may, then, be assumed as true, that the cultivation 

 of the earth is the basis of all the mechanic arts, man- 

 ufactures, and commerce. All depend upon it. And 

 every thing, which lives, and breathes, and moves, 

 whether in the waters, in the air, or on its surface, de- 

 rives its support from the earth, as the mother of all. 



I shall, therefore, need no apology, on this occasion, 

 for specially addressing those, on whom this important 

 business rests : practical husbandmen ; those who join na- 

 ked hands to the axe and the plough ; and are not 

 ashamed to bear the scythe and the sickle. 



I shall attempt, concisely, to delineate, 



I. The character of good Husbandry. 



