104- Laborers' Gardens. 



be given in the more simple and elementary points of veget- 

 able physiology. But one grand object must never be lost 

 sight of — to induce and enable him to become his own in- 

 structor ; and this must be effected, by gradually leading him 

 to make observations on what is daily going on among his 

 vegetables and fruits — the greater vigour and quicker growth 

 of some ; and thence an investigation into the causes. Teach 

 him to take an interest in his garden ; and then he will soon 

 use his eyes when in it; he cannot long use his eyes, before his 

 thoughts will be exercised; and this is all that is necessary to 

 render him first a good gardener, and next a tolerable botanist 

 and physiologist. 



One great advantage our peasant possesses over the town 

 mechanic. Nature is constantly making experiments for the 

 former, she is every moment at work under his eyes, he has 

 only to see and think, and what she does is more beautiful 

 and astonishing than any thing man can do. Whereas the 

 town mechanic must either make experiments himself, or 

 attend to those of others. Besides the difficulty, or perhaps 

 impracticability of the first, and the inconveniences attending 

 the second, he cannot watch the processes and results of the ex- 

 periments so attentively, so long, or so repeatedly as the pea- 

 sant can do those which Nature is carrying on under his eyes. 



4. But we may render our peasant still better informed, 

 and thus multiply his sources of utility and enjoyment. Here 

 also we ought to work by means of gross motives. In giving 

 him instructions regarding his vegetables, fruits, and flowers, 

 you will, of course, point out to him the depredations com- 

 mitted on them by various kinds of insects, &c. and the best 

 manner in which they can be protected from these depredations; 

 this unfolds a very obvious mode for drawing his attention 

 and interest to one branch of natural history ; as it certainly 

 would be no difficult matter to lead him to study the habits 

 and actions, if not the structure of the insects that frequent or 

 infest his garden. In order to protect his vegetables, fruits, 

 and flowers from them, he must know something about them, 

 he must feel some interest about them ; and this feeling and 

 knowledge, properly taken advantage of, will lead our 

 peasant to instruct himself, by his own observation and ex- 

 perience, in the more easy and pleasing parts of insectology. 



I may be too sanguine in the results I expect from such a 

 series of papers as I have described ; but I cannot help think- 

 ing, that by means of them, not only may the peasant 

 population be enabled to derive from their garden a more 

 abundant, various, and better supply of vegetables and fruits 

 for their table, at less expence of time and money ; and to 

 cook them in such a manner, as will be at once more eco- 



