9 



ward ? The fuller, plumper, and larger grain, will not 

 cover 30 much ground as the smaller, and is also of higher 

 price ; hence by sowing the smaller and lighter grain, we 

 should save considerably ; and Sir Joseph Banks is of 

 opinion we may safely take our seed from the leeward side 

 of the heap. 



Were the question brought before the agricultural school, 

 arranged as I suppose, — the theorist would tell us, that the 

 farina constitutes the whole value of the corn ; that this 

 portion of the vegetable forms no part of its organic con- 

 struction, has no connexion with the vital principle of the 

 germ, but is merely a mass of unorganized matter, pro- 

 vided by nature for the sustenance of the nascent plant, 

 until by its roots it can extract food for itself ; that the 

 farina in vegetables, corresponds with the yolk of the egg 

 in oviparous animals. 



Now we observe that in every thing connected with the 

 preservation of species, nature is not only liberal, but ge- 

 nerally profuse, and (no doubt to provide against difficul- 

 ties,) often redundant : — besides, the provision was made 

 when the vegetable tribe was left to propagate itself, with- 

 out any of the facilities devised by man, which he now 

 gives to assist vegetation, and increase produce. 



More farina, it is obvious, would be required under the 

 hardships of a state of nature ; and a greater quantity 

 will be formed under cultivation, as animals fostered by 

 man acquire a degree of obesity, which they never reach 

 in a state of nature ; thus it appears the quantity of 

 farina is increased, and the expenditure of it diminished ; 

 of course it is highly probable, we may with safety avail 

 ourselves of the redundance, that is, sow the lighter, and 

 consume the weightier grain. 



The question is now brought before the experamentalist, 



