1^ IXPERTKEirrS IN 



seeing him engaged in those experiments on which im- 

 |)ortant consequences depend. General reasoning and 

 remarks may be of some use in many points, that ex- 

 periments do not reach ; but in general all the reason- 

 ing upon earth, without them, would be of no avail ; — 

 and they, in a certain variety, are sufficient to give the 

 force of ahsolule fact to every noint. 



It is the business of the enlightened men who prac- 

 .tice agriculture, and of authors who practice and write 

 on it, to help forward the age; to try experiments oq 

 things newly introduced, and if they are found good, to 

 spread the knowledge of them as much as possible ; to 

 endeavour to arouse the attention of the vast body of 

 farmers. To omit this either in practice or in wriiing, 

 Is to reduce them.selves to the level of those whom they 

 ought to instruct ; and to submit to that ignorance anl 

 backwardness, which cloud a country in an enlightened 

 nge, with the darkness of a preceding centurj^ It is 

 Ihe business of superior minds, in every branch of phi- 

 losophy', to start beyond the age, and shine forth to dis- 

 sipate ihe night that involves them. 



Let not those enterprising enquirers who aspire at 

 excellence, be deterred by the ridicule that not unfre- 

 quently accompanies them in their attempts, or, intimi- 

 dated by the apprehensions of ruin. Let them only be 

 careful that their experiments be made after due con- 

 sideration, and commensurate with their means, and 

 there is httle danger, but that pleasure, and in most in- 

 stances, profit, will follow their undertakings. New 

 practices in husbandry are often attempted by persons 

 not bred to that occupation, and these for want of prac- 

 tical skill, may often full in the execution ; and whea 

 successful, the success is ascribed to a liberal expendi- 

 ture of money, beyond the ability of the mere farmer, 

 jjut what risk v/ill attend experiments made by farmers 



