1 90 SKirreff's Tour through North America. 



my fellow-ti'avellers. This plant grows plentifully as underwood on most of 

 the rich soils in this part of the country. I found the fruit growing on slender 

 trees or shrubs 15 ft. or 20 ft. high ; it resembles, in size, shape, and colour, 

 the jargonelle pear of Britain. I found them variable in quality, and the best 

 might rank with a third-rate pear of Scotland. The forests were now clothed 

 in the splendour of autumn, and the richness and variety of their tints was of 

 the most pleasing description. The oak, maple, beech, and dogwood seemed 

 to vie in brilliancy; and I often observed many leaves on the same lateral 

 branch, exhibiting every shade from vivid green to the darkest purple." 



We shall conclude with a long extract from the first chapter 

 of the second part of the work, which places Mr. ShirrefFin the 

 highest rank as a scientific agricultural writer. This passage 

 deserves to be thoroughly studied by every young gardener and 

 farmer : — 



" From whatever sources arise the materials which comj^ose and sustain 

 organised bodies, no symptoms of decline can be discovered in them. Nature 

 seems to be a system of continued reproduction, and, when aided by man, of 

 progressive increase. 



" The quantity of matter which has been organised since the beginning of 

 time must be immense. But, whether the world is viewed in whole or in 

 portions, nature has no appearance of decay, but seems a manufactory pro- 

 ducing new fabrics, which are again reduced to their elements, in endless 

 succession. Generation succeeds generation, and year after year furnishes 

 sustenance. In the operations of nature there is no loss of materials, and when 

 they are aided by human industry, she generously rewards man with an in- 

 crease of her returns, and continues to reproduce the increase. The bounties 

 of nature seem inexhaustible, and, in some measure, proportioned to man's 

 industry. 



" The system of nature, such as I have ventured to describe, may be illus- 

 trated by the details of the farm. Pastures which have continued under the 

 influence of nature annually yield herbage without decrease. When they are 

 stocked with sheep, man is rewarded with the increase of the animals, and the 

 herbage is reproduced as before. If the pasturage is improved by draining 

 and top-dressing, there will be an increase in the returns from sheep, and the 

 improvement in the pasturage continues from year to year. When an im- 

 provement in the sheep is effected, there will be an additional return from 

 them, which, by continued attention, becomes permanent. 



" When pasturage is superseded by grains and roots, their increased returns 

 above pasturage are the reward of cultivation ; and drainage, manures, and 

 labour greatly increase the returns. In such a system of farming man acts a 

 prominent part with nature, and skilful industry is required to continue the 

 increase. Without skill and industry the returns from cultivation j'early 

 diminish, and ultimately fall short of those from pasturage or undisturbed 

 nature. In this case it is not nature but man which fails to do his part ; and 

 the decrease may be considered a just retribution, 



" A reflecting mind will discover much evidence of nature's economy 

 throughout the universe ; and the farm supplies familiar illustrations. Cows 

 and sheep, by consuming grass, yield butcher meat, milk, butter, cheese, and 

 leather. These varied fabrics emanate from the same source, and, when re- 

 duced to their elements, may again enter into the composition of grass. The 

 straw of grain crops, and other vegetable matter, after being eaten by or tram- 

 pled under the feet of animals, decomposes, and enters into wheat, barley, and 

 turnip, or any other plant. In this manner the vegetable and animal kingdoms 

 assist each other ; and so perfect is the economy of nature, that none of her 

 materials are lost in the intercourse. 



" By judicious management, the fertility of a farm may be maintained, or 



