C 121 ] 



Improvement by Plakter ; in loudon. county, Vir- 

 ginia. 



Since the foregoing compilation was put to press, 

 and too late to embody them into the little work, I have 

 received, through the fcivour of William Noland Esq,^ 

 a collection of facts, relative to the improvements in 

 the agriculture of LOUDON county, in Virginia. The 

 plaister of Paris has created, in that county, an entire 

 renovation of their soil ; which was worn out by long 

 cultivation, and bad systems. Much of it was not ori* 

 ginally of the first quality; their bottom lands excepted. 

 I do not find any contradiction ; but, on the contrary a 

 complete confirmation, of the facts and principles en- 

 deavoured to be established, in the publication herein 

 reprinted. The use of the gyps began, in that county, 

 about twenty years ago. The difficulties attending it$ 

 introduction, were, in a degree, similar to those prevail- 

 ing here, in the infancy of this great auxiliary to our 

 agricultural prosperity. Its progress was more rapid, 

 when conviction followed a few practical proofs. Now^ 

 their zeal is greater than that existing here. They have 

 the most solid reasons, for entertaining the highest opi- 

 nion of the capacities of the plaister. It has substituted 

 plenty and comfort, in place of want, or scanty subsist- 

 ence. Their lands have, in many instances, quadru- 

 pled in value, their stocks of domestic animals have 

 wonderfully increased, and their barns and granaries are 

 filled. Such instances of rural prosperity, excite in me 

 sensations inexpressibly dehghtful 1 



