758 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



an obvious reason. They consult those who are best able to inform them, first ; and re- 

 ceive their last impressions from those who are least capable to give them. Men who 

 have neither judgment in themselves, nor any standard of practice to rally at, are liable 

 to be led astray by the plausible schemes of theorists, the greater part of whom know 

 nothing of the practical part of business, and who, by their calculations, both of expense 

 in the outlay and of profit in the return, deceive both themselves and their friends or em- 

 ployers : some also may have sinister designs in view ; though we believe the errors of 

 speculative men are in most cases owing to their being endowed with more imagination 

 than judgment. 



46 1 8. The execution of the different improvements of which an estate has been found 

 susceptible being determined on, it is always advisable to begin with one which is ob- 

 vious ; which may be effected with the greatest certainty ; which will repay most amply 

 the expenses of carrying it into effect ; or which leads to other improvements, as em- 

 bankment, drainage, &c. To attempt a doubtful project, while plans which are obvious 

 and certain remain unexecuted ; to try experiments before the list of known improve- 

 ments has been gone through ; is seldom to be recommended, though it might sometimes 

 turn out to be right. 



4619. ^11 rural operations are more or less public, and as it were performed on a stage ; 

 and spectators fail not to criticise. If an experiment should prove abortive, or a pro- 

 posed improvement turn out to be false, the ardour of the improver will be liable to be 

 damped, his people to be discontented (as partaking in the discredit), and the expecting 

 public around him to be disappointed. A few miscarriages, in the outset, might frustrate 

 the best intentions and the most profitable schemes. But if, by prosecuting plain and 

 certain improvements, a man once gain his own confidence, as well as that of the 

 people about him, he may then venture to explore less beaten paths ; and this he will 

 be able to do with greater caution, and more probability of success, by the experience 

 already gained; this being a further motive for pursuing the line of conduct here 

 suggested. 



4620. yill works of improvement should be executed with vigour. Many falter in the 

 midst of well-planned works, either, through the want of foresight or of business-like 

 exertion ; in consequence, the money already expended lies dead, and the works are in- 

 jured by the delay. Some works, as embankments and drainages, may be ruined by the 

 slightest neglect or relaxation ; and, indeed, as Marshal observes, we see, in every depart- 

 ment of the kingdom, these and other works deserted, and left to moulder into nuisances 

 or disreputable eyesores. 



4621. Iti carrying on a work, execute every thing substantia Hi/, and in a workman-like 

 manner. Too often a false economy leads to the subversion of this principle. To save 

 a few pounds in the first cost, materials of an inferior quality are laid in, or a quantity 

 used insuflficient to give the required substance and strength to the work. By eitlier of 

 these imprudences, its duration is abridged ; and the eventual loss, by repairs and re- 

 newal, may be ten times greater than the sum injudiciously saved in the original erection. 

 Nevertheless, to increase the evil of these ill-judged savings, inferior workmen are em- 

 ployed ; or sufficient workmen at inferior prices, at which they cannot afford to make 

 good work, nor can a superintendent urge them to make it under such circumstances. 

 Consequently the work is ill performed, its duration is still more abridged, and a further 

 loss is incurred by injudicious saving. 



4622. There are cases in which temporary works only are required. A lease-tenant, for 

 instance, wants to make an improvement which will last as long as his lease, without 

 caring about its further duration. In such a case, it may be well-judged frugality and 

 admissible " cleverness in business," to work vip cheap materials in a cheap way : but it 

 seldom can be right in the proprietor of a hereditary estate, whose interest in it may be 

 said to be perpetual, to proceed in the same manner. His best policy is to take favour- 

 able opportunities of laying in good materials at moderate prices ; to use them when 

 duly seasoned ; and to employ good workmen at such prices as cannot furnish an excuse 

 for bad workmanship, and will warrant him to enforce good. 



4623. Accomplish one work before another is commenced. A work may be considered 

 as accomplished when the chief difficulties are surmounted, and the chief cost expended; 

 and, till this is the case, it cannot be prudent to embark in another. By avoiding em- 

 barrassments, the execution of improvements becomes a present pleasure, as well as a 

 source of future profit ; no half-finished works are left as monuments of disgrace to an 

 estate and its owner ; no time nor interest of money is lost ; every work is brought into 

 action and profit as it is finished ; and if, as it frequently will happen with the most 

 prudent calculators, the estimated sum has been exceeded, due time may be taken to let 

 the fund of improvement accumulate, so as to enable it to discharge the arrear, and to fur- 

 nish, as wanted, the estimated sums requisite for the succeeding work. 



