8 



classes. First those, who, besides cultivating some land, are 

 likewise tradesmen or mechanics ; and with their agricultural 

 unite some mechanical or professional pursuit, to which their 

 farming is only secondary. The returns of husbandry are in 

 general so much slower and smaller than those from their art 

 or trade, that the latter is likely to absorb much of their at- 

 tention to the prejudice of their husbandry. There are emi- 

 nent exceptions to this remark ; and we owe to some of these 

 persons many valuable experiments in agriculture, which 

 their ready capital has furnished them with the means of mak- 

 ing under circumstances of great advantage. 



The second class is composed of those, who, occupying 

 small farms, look for nothing from their farms beyond the bare 

 support of their families ; having other resources, they feel in* 

 dependent of its returns ; or devoid of ambition, and indolent 

 and improvident, they are content with the most scanty re-* 

 turns. Ignorant of the art of living, they are in general in the 

 midst of the means of abundance destitute of common com- 

 forts ; and are satisfied if they obtain, by a little labor incon- 

 stantly and indifferently applied, the bare necessaries of life. 



The third class comprehends those with whom agriculture is 

 an exclusive profession ; who are willing to labor and are seek- 

 ing the fair rewards of industry. Stimulated by an honest de- 

 sire of profit, they are anxious to extend their cultivation to the 

 farthest point to which it may be carried to advantage. It is 

 to this latter class, who alone, properly speaking, deserve the 

 name of farmers, that my remarks will be directed, 



Farming here consists of three kinds ; first, dairy farming ; 

 second, grazing, embracing sheep husbandry, and the raising 

 of young stock ; and lastly arable farming, including the con- 

 sumption of the produce on the place by the stall-feeding of 

 cattle, sheep, or swine. There are many farms, which to a 

 certain extent combine these pursuits ; but these objects 

 are distinct, and cannot often to any great extent be ad- 

 vantageously prosecuted together. 



