13 



gave such a powerful impulse to rural industry, that it extended 

 with various success, over the whole island, where it has finally 

 reached a higher state of perfection, in all its applications, than 

 in any other country. 



Stimulated by the favorable results, which had been produced 

 in England, most of the continental nations were induced to at- 

 tempt like ameliorations, in their antiquated and very imperfect 

 modes of cultivation. Scientific experiments and practical illus- 

 trations in the renovated art of tillage were made, and beneficial 

 changes gradually effected, so far as the character of the soil, 

 the products best adapted to their various climates, and the pecu- 

 liar demands of other branches of industry, might dictate or re- 

 quire. This spirit of improvement has continually extended, 

 with varying energy and advantage, but most successfully in 

 portions of France, Holland, Belgium, Germany arid the valley 

 of the Po. 



Agricultural institutions were very generally established, for 

 the concentration and diffusion of information in all the depart- 

 ments of rural economy, either by the voluntary association of 

 the affluent, industrious and emulous portions of the community, 

 or in conformity to express laws and royal edicts. In aid of these 

 powerful auxiliaries, botanical and horticultural societies, and 

 experimental farms and gardens were rapidly founded from Lon- 

 don to Naples, and from Paris to Moscow. 



The proceedings of these numerous treasuries of knowledge, 

 and seminaries of mutual instruction, being published in the 

 form of reports, or periodical journals, whatever useful discovery 

 is made or interesting fact announced in any part of the large 

 region included within the circle of their influence, soon becomes 

 known in all the others. In addition to all these very effective 

 means for the dissemination of intelligence, funds have been 

 provided by the contributions of the members of the several cor- 

 porations, the generous bequests of individuals, and the munifi- 

 cence of government, for the encouragement of tillage by the 

 distribution of rewards and premiums. 



From England, our ancestors brought the theory and prac- 

 tice of husbandry, which there prevailed at the period of their 

 adventurous expatriation ; but the progress of improvement here, 

 has not kept pace with that of the parent country. Latterly how- 



