XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 



and it is equally as true, that agriculture does not re- 

 quire unnecessary expenses ; on the contrary, she con- 

 demns every superfluity as a species of luxury. It is 

 from their not being fully impressed with the impor- 

 tance of these principles, that we every day see new 

 proprietors condemn, almost without examination, usages 

 consecrated by time and accredited by good results, to 

 introduce, at great expense, innovations unsuited to the 

 soil or climate. Being unable to bring these into coope- 

 ration with their plans, they are obhged to abandon their 

 estates after having ruined their fortunes. 



One of the causes, undoubtedly, which contributes rhost 

 to retard the application of just principles to French ag- 

 riculture, is the shortness of the leases ; which hardly al- 

 lowing a farmer to become acquainted with the nature of 

 the soil, he cultivates it nearly at hazard ; he can neither 

 make any improvements in his modes of dressing the 

 land, nor establish a good system of cropping ; he is 

 obliged to forego the use of the best kinds of grasses, such 

 as sainfoin and clover, because he cannot, in a short 

 space of time, prepare the land for the reception of 

 them ; neither can he hope to reap the benefit of the 

 harvests, which they would, for a long time, produce. 

 Thus, however intelligent a farmer may be, he is forced 

 to live from day to day, and continue the imperfect 

 system of cultivation commenced by his predecessors. 

 He is obliged to obtain from the soil the utmost that it 

 can furnish, in the state in which he takes it, without 

 making any efforts to ameliorate the condition of the 

 soil ; since at the end of his lease he would be liable 

 either to have his rents raised in proportion to its in- 

 creased productiveness, or to have his lease taken from 

 him. 



