S8 StZE OF FARMS, 



frequently imputed to their supposed natural poverty; 



It may be said, that there are many farmers among 

 «s, who are poor men, with a farm of from 1 to 2C0 a- 

 cres. It is common to hear husbandmen complaining of 

 the burden of pubiic taxes, and that these eat up their 

 profits, but were the soil of New-England husbanded 

 with the skill and care, which would entitle our cuUi" 

 vators to be called good farmers, we should hear no 

 complaint of taxes in this favoured country. 



In conclusion we will observe, that our objections to 

 large farms are principally occasioned by observing the 

 inferior managem_ent which they generally receive. But 

 if farmers in all cases will retain a sufficient part of 

 their capital to make improvements co-exensive with 

 their landed estates, the objections are at once remor 

 yed. 



We acknowledge that the farmer should occupy suf- 

 ficient land to engage his time, not irregularly and occa- 

 sionally, but fully and completely, by which means his at- 

 tention is not distracted from this important employment 

 to others which would interfere with it, and necessari- 

 ly prevent its correct and profitable management ; and 

 ihose idle habits, connected with public injury and in- 

 dividual ruin, are effectually precluded. But whatever 

 this quantity of land may be thought to be, differing 

 certainly in relation to different individuals, the impor- 

 tance of adequately stocking and prepgiriug what is ac- 

 tually occupied is extreme. To unite the portion of 

 land necessary to occupy the time of the experienced 

 farmer, with the complete means of its fertitity and im- 

 provement, alfords the most auspicious louudation foy 

 the hope of success. 



