tOnv.—Hcnla, Pm/itx and Lit I for. l&i 



a distribution of the people as shall CflbK tin- most 

 effective demand for produce. 



These particulars have been here slated more as 

 subjects df nutural history, than with any desire that 

 they be considered by the agriculturist as other than 

 detached facts, from which BO general inferences 

 ought as yet to lie fairly drawn; but which are pew 

 haps useful, as shewing- that lie has not, in all pro* 

 bability, called forth the whole latent capabilities of 

 the soil, or devised expedients to prevent the fertility, 

 even already developed, from being- checked by ex* 

 tra neons circumstances. 



There are strong reasons for supposing that no im. 

 provemcnts wen ever be followed by a much higher 

 decree of productiveness than that which is exhibited 

 by the most fertile land when first thoroughly rescued 

 from primeval forest. Unless the increase of produce 

 were to be considerable, it would not, it is phiin, be 

 worth the while to go to the expense of improving. 

 Hence, some of the best land, w Inch has been up- 

 Wunls of fifteen years under annual cultivation, c mti- 

 Tines to yield such heavy crops that the owners or 

 fanners do not find it requisite to give it any other 

 than the usual dressing by plough and harrow. 



It is only to inferior soils that improved modes wil| 

 apply with a certainty of corresponding profits. 



Had the soil here been poor, it would still have 

 been cultivated through necessity, if not choice; but 

 there would have been few or no rente, nor any surplus 

 produce or surplus capital. Still the population 

 would have advanced so long as laud remained to 

 give away ; but it would have been little better tlum 

 a pauper one. * If die best land here should be found 

 incapable of being profitably improved, the rents on 

 it will of course not rise, unless the price of la- 

 bour aud stock fall, or the price of produce 



