INTRODUCTION. XXI 



Other ; and an agriculturist, who wishes to try methods 

 of cultivation which have succeeded elsewhere, often 

 finds himself deceived in his expectations, because he 

 cannot unite the same circumstances to ensure success. 



I have thought that a work upon the principles of ag- 

 riculture, which should make known the properties and 

 actions of the several agents which influence the results 

 of its operations, would be really useful ; and accordingly 

 I have applied myself to forming an acquaintance with 

 the most usual methods of cultivation, in order that I 

 might extend the application of them to other cases to 

 which they might be suited. 



But it is not sufficient to enlighten the agriculturist, in 

 order to facilitate the progress of the art ; the government 

 has an important duty to perform towards it. It is only 

 when intelligence and encouragement are united, that 

 the farmer can be assured of lasting prosperity. 



Agriculture is the most fruitful source of the riches 

 of a country, and of the "welfare of its inhabitants ; and 

 it is only as the state of agriculture is more or less flour- 

 ishing, that we can judge unerringly of the happiness of 

 a nation, or of the wisdom of its government. The pros- 

 perity which a country derives from the industry and 

 skill of its artisans, may be but a passing gleam ; that alone 

 is durable, which has its rise in a good cultivation of the 

 soil. These facts ought to be constantly present to the 

 mind of the government, and to influence all its measures. 



A government awake to its true interests will seek to 

 facilitate and increase the cultivation of the soil, and to 

 open new channels for the disposal of its products. It 

 will protect property, by causing its rights to be re- 



