Eulogium on William West, 151 



cited in this country, and even in Europe, scarcely any 

 works of much note had appeared on agriculture, ex- 

 cept those of Du Hamel, De Lisle and Tull. The me- 

 rit of Mr. West was therefore the greater, because with- 

 out the numerous helps which the modern farmer may 

 have recourse to, derived from the works of these who 

 have detailed the result of their experience, or from the 

 good examples of their neighbours, he ventured to alter 

 a bad system, and to establish a new one which the 

 experience of near half a century in this country has 

 shewn to be correct, and which has added to the pe- 

 cuniary resources, and agricultural reputation of our 

 State. 



The chief part of the cultivated land in Pennsylvania, 

 was in a course of tillage, and grain commanded but a 

 small price. The business of grazing as already stated, 

 was confined to a small district, and the inquiries he 

 made satisfied him as to the superior profit arising 

 therefrom, when compared to tillage. From this cir- 

 cumstance therefore as well as from a partiality for that 

 pleasing branch of husbandry ; he resolved as soon as 

 circumstances would permit, to lay down his land to 

 grass. — What an undertaking at that time ! and how 

 was this to be accomplished ? the introduction of red 

 clover had taken place only a few years before, and 

 with the exception of a few districts, was confined to 

 the vicinity of Philadelphia: for prejudice, the great 

 enemy to all improvements, had opposed its progress 

 among the cultivators of the soil. The great advantages 

 however of this valuable grass, derived from the im- 

 mense burthen which it produced, were soon seen by 

 Mr. West, and he determined to avail himself of them. 



