XXXll INTRODUCTION. 



The progressive steps in agriculture are, and ought 

 to be, slow ; and it is contrary to the counsels of wisdom 

 and prudence, to wish to deviate from customs rendered 

 sacred by time, until the new modes to be adopted 

 shall have received the sanction of successful experi- 

 ment. 



The reproach, which is every day made to the hus- 

 bandman, of his indiJfiference towards new modes of 

 culture, appears to me not to be well founded ; he 

 wishes first to see and compare them with the methods 

 to which he has been accustomed; he has neither the 

 knowledge, nor the means of forming beforehand a just 

 estimate, of the advantages which they offer him ; he 

 perseveres then in his old course till some neighbour, 

 richer and more enlightened than hhnself, is able to pre- 

 sent to him, by the new mode, results more advanta- 

 geous than he has obtained from his own. 



Example is the only lesson profitable to a husband- 

 man ; when one is placed before his eyes, and his reason 

 is convinced of its goodness, he is not slow to follow it ; 

 and by no other way than this, can improved methods 

 of agriculture be introduced and propagated. 



The civil discords which have so long agitated France, 

 have compelled a great number of proprietors to aban- 

 don the stormy life of the city, and to establish them- 

 selves in their domains, where they direct the labors of 

 their farms ; agriculture is thus enriched by the intelli- 

 gence, the wealth, and the scientific views, which they 

 carry with them to every part of the country. It is 

 much to be desired that this course should be generally 

 pursued, since it cannot but have a happy effect upon 

 agricultural prosperity, and thus ultimately benefit the 

 kingdom at large. 



