23 



would weigh the degrees of probability ; while the com- 

 mittee, whose object it was to increase our stock of vege- 

 tables, would deem simple possibility a sufficient ground to 

 proceed upon. 



If such a committee was established, many contributions 

 would be made to it : whoever met with, in other countries, 

 a promising vegetable, would be sure to see it get a fair 

 trial at home. 



I should be happy to see a committee also appointed to 

 study our indigenous vegetables. I suspect they would 

 afford us more resources than we are aware of ; I know 

 not whether attention has ever been paid to the comparative 

 values of our indigenous and foreign clovers. 



I may say the same of the vetch tribe, for my late period 

 of mowing gives some spontaneous vetches time to acquire 

 a great and valuable luxuriance. 



Another measure remains, which I earnestly recom- 

 mend to all agricultural societies to adopt : that is, to take 

 into their own hands a small piece of ground, to be used 

 in trying the several experiments, which their com- 

 mittees will find it desirable to make ; — it is by experiments 

 alone that valuable and useful information will be received. 

 Ocular demonstration, too, may perhaps subdue prejudice, 

 and stagger incredulitj . 



I have little doubt that two acres might be sufficient to 

 answer every purpose ; but as agricultural societies are 

 always liberal, and generally wealthy, I think it probable, 

 that it may be desirable to extend the scale a little, as our 

 experimental field will not only instruct, but will also 

 afford great amusement to the members, and probably 

 seduce them into a more skilful, as well as a more zealous 

 pursuit of the science. 



