L 575 ] 



ferved, that Virgil and Columella^ old as thef 

 are, remained almoft the only writers worth con- 

 fiilting upon this fubjed. The writings of Mr. 

 Hart^ Dr. A. Hunter^ Lord KaimSy Mr. Toung^ and 

 of many others fince publifhed in our own nation, 

 we hope have fuperfeded Dr. Home's rematk ; and, 

 from that laudable fpirit now diffufing among us 

 throughout Great Britain^ for the improvement of 

 Arts and Sciences, under the protedlion of our pub- 

 lic inftitutions, we may expefl to fee every branch 

 of agriculture ftudied as it deferves, and attended 

 with that fuccefs which commonly refults from 

 the right application of knowledge to the pur-^ 

 pofes of human life. On the continent, the Swedes 

 are making large and daily progrefs in the im- 

 provement of this branch of economics. In France^ 

 Mr. Du Hamel has rendered himfelf confpicuous 

 by his writings on this fubjed ; and in various 

 parts of Europe^ focieties have been formed with 

 a profelTed view to this end. We cannot help 

 mentioning, with peculiar pleafure, that of Padua, 

 over which Dr. Arduin preiides, v/ho, by the mu- 

 nificence of the Venetian ftate, has a garden allotted 

 for the cultivation of fuch vegetables as they wifh 

 to fubjed to experiments in agriculture, dyeing, 

 and other arts, A noble inftitution, and worthy 

 of imitation ! 



Amidft that almoft infinite variety of vegetables, 

 with which the beneficent hand of nature has re- 

 plenifhed our earth, thofe which go under the 

 general name of Grajjes form the principal food 

 of our cattle; next ro thefe, among the natural 

 clajes of plants, none are more acceptable than the 



B 4 iiadel^hQus 



