( 335) 
be added the increase of population, common. to 
every nation of Europe, and. which, in Great Bri- 
tain, is beyond all proportion greater than the pro- 
gress of agriculture, the augmentation of cattle, 
which occasions that of pasturage, and the diminu- 
tion of tillage ;(1) the establishment of great farms 
at the expence of small ones, and the multiplication 
of parks and pleasure grounds ;and lastly, the at- 
tractions of great cittes, and the continual drafts made 
upon the agricultural population, for the army and 
navy, and for commerce and manufactures. 
—2 += 
SECTION IIL. 
> 
i sis Theory of Vegetation. 
VucETAaBies may he regarded as the intermediate 
link in the great chain of creation, between animals 
and minerals. The latter grow by mere chemical 
affinity, and by additions, sometimes arnalagous and 
sometimes foreign from their own nature; while 
plants, like animals, have an organization that ena- 
bles them to receive their food, digest and assimilate 
So tdeeenieeemniadal 
(1) Mr. Hume quotes with approbation an author, who complains of the decay of 
tillage in the reign of Elizabeth, and who ascribes it to the increase of pasturage, in 
consequence of the restraints imposed on the exportation of grain, while that of butter, 
cheese, &c. was free. The history of Europe, if read with an eye to public economy, 
furnishes abundant proof, that the greatest obstructions to agriculture have arisen 
from the interference of government. We have here nosly allusion to. our own pro- 
jects of a state board of agriculture, of a chemico-agricultural professorship, nor 
even of an agricultural college, if the treasury, in its wealth, and the legislature ip 
its wisdom, should deem such institutions useful or necessary. 
5 
