AG RICULTURAL ECON OMY . 51 



individual has to the fruit of his own labor. Thus dawned upon the 

 pastoral, or shepherd life, the agricultural, which was soon succeeded 

 \>y the Horticultural pesiod, which is the highest state of terra-cul- 

 ture, and with it, is generally found associated moral and intellectual 

 culture, and, necessarily, a highly enlightened and advanced state of 

 civilization. 



Hence, it may be inferred, that, whether a knowledge of Agricul- 

 ture and Horticulture was originally imparted to man by his Creator, 

 and partially lost by the fall and the barbarism which succeeded, or, 

 whether it is man's discovery, its introduction among savages, has a 

 tendency to produce civilization. 



The conquests of Caesar introduced agriculture into Gaul — and 

 converted her woods and marshes into fertile and fruitful fields. Thus 

 have war and conquest on both continents, been succeeded by a higher 

 state of civilization, and so has been partially realized, the fulfilment 

 of the prophesy, that the sword and the spear shall be converted 

 into implements of husbandry. 



It was the boast of Pliny, the historian, that the arts introduced 

 "by the Roman conquests, had diffused happiness over the earth. 

 Modern testimony tends to confirm this statement. Visit the islands 

 of the sea, and where you find the people skilled in the art and prac- 

 tice of Agriculture, they will be found subordinate, docile and gentle. 



This art, which has had so powerful an influence in the civilization 

 of man, lies at the very foundation of both individual and national 

 growth and prosperity. The Economy of such an art, is, truly, worthy 

 of consideration — for, whatever tends to increase the pi-oductivcness of 

 Agriculture, communicates happiness to individuals and energy to the 

 State. 



A complete knowledge of "The Economy of Agriculture," is a de- 

 sideratum that has been long and diligently sought, but, like the 

 philosopher's stone, still remains hidden in the dark recesses of Na- 

 ture. It is true, that some progress has been made in the art of cul- 

 tivating the soil, yet, it is equally true, that much remains to be known 

 before the most economical mode of changing inorganic bodies into 

 organic, can be successfully practiced, — or in other words, before the 

 shortest and best way of changing earth into gold, is attained. 



No specific science has done more to reveal the hidden mysteries of 

 both the organic and inorganic kingdoms, than that of Chemistry. 

 But Chemistry, even Avith all its power of analysis, fails to gain 

 access to the penetralia of Nature's hidden mysteries, concealed where 

 neither the eye nor human reason can ever penetrate, how eager 

 soever they may be in their toils and analyses. 



