1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST, 



v^i tition for land such as to render it comparatively high, and what is ^ 

 Cj° equally inimical to successful culture, the greater portion of the land 

 / in a state of exhaustion from under cropping. 



The consequences which may be expected to flow from a case of 

 the latter kind, may be thus explained : 



The population of a country always increases as the means of sub- 

 sistence increase ; but beyond this limit it cannot increase, though it 

 has a tendency to do so ; for, when it arrives at the limitation point, 

 counteracting agencies come into operation which cut off the inhabi- 

 tants, and gradually establish an equilibrium between the produce of 

 the country and the number of inhabitants dependent upon it for sub- 

 sistence ; or else ultimately induce a preponderance of the former. — . 

 From the effects thus produced by a superabundance of population, 

 we at once perceive the absolute necessity which exists of using our 

 best endeavors to make the agricultural products not only keep pace 

 with the demands of an increasing population, but also to exceed those 

 demands to as great an extent as possible. I have only to refer you 

 to the unfortunate case of this country throughout the late calamitous 

 years, in illustration of this point, to show you the cogency and appli- 

 cability of this- reasoning. Here, in consequence of the density of our 

 population and the injudicious and sluggish mode of culture generally 

 pursued, the loss of only one of our crops induced an amount of death 

 and suffering too painful to dwell upon. Suffice it to say, that, in 

 1841, our population was upwards of eight millions, whilst in 1851 it 

 was only about six-and-a-half millions. And a similar result, to a 

 greater or less extent, may be occasionally expected in every densely 

 inhabited country, in which means are not taken lo make the agricul- 

 tural products keep pace with the increase of the people. It would be 

 preposterous to expect that the same imperfect culture which was 

 practised a century ago would be capable of furnishing even our pre- 

 sent reduced population with the necessary supply of such products, 

 and a sufficient surplus for exportation. And if our population is to 

 increase, in future, in similar ratio to that which it did in years gone 

 by, so must the products of the land, and our agricultural knowledge 

 also. 



But, by what means is agricultural knowledge to be diffused! This 

 is the all-important question. I have already stated it as my opinion 

 that it can be best effected through the instrumentality of the school- 

 master, in conjunction with the present modes in operation. 1 know 

 that the duties of this officer are at present onerous enough, and that 

 his services are, in most instances, but poorly remunerated ;, but I 

 \ should hope that the introduction of agricultural education into his 

 Qa routine of business will not only better his condition, but also- confer < 

 Inmost important benefits on the rest of the community. Already he< 



