AGRICULTURE. 1 1 



tliemseiveg, t-o test the value of these novelties ? Each 

 one for himself can try them, on as small a scale as 

 xnay suit his convenience, before he enters more large- 

 ly into any article of cultivation, and at a very small 

 expence of time and money. A small field, of a soil 

 similar to that of his farm in general, appropriated to ex- 

 periments would be the most proper. The introduc- 

 tion of improvements would be facilitated, if the money 

 expended, and the quantity of labour bestowed upon 

 them were always accurately stated, in all communica- 

 tions made to- the public. 



There is no way of making improvements in farming, 

 but by experiments. If the farmer is informed of, or 

 has conceived, a different a,nd better method of culture, 

 or management, in any branch of his farming, he is to 

 test the goodness of that method by experiments ; and, 

 if these prove successful, he may congratulate himself, 

 on having performed an act which is serviceable to his 

 country and honorable to himself. 



Having urged the utility and even necessity of accu- 

 rate experiments, w'e will enumerate a few of the more 

 important objects, on which those experiments ought to 

 be tried. 



The proper selection of seeds is of vast importance. 

 Experiments should be made to ascertain what kinds are 

 the best of all the grains, grasses, fcc.and how far they 

 are susceptible of improvement. Next what quantities 

 of these ought to be sown or planted on an acre, and, 

 in what manner, whether in drills, in hills, or broad 

 cast. Careful experiments should be made on the all 

 important article of manure. We ought, without loss 

 of time, to ascertain how far lime, plaister, and ashes 

 may be used to advantage ; and in what manner the 

 good manure may be best increased and applied ; how 

 many crops will each sort benefit, &;c. The best sea- 

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