IK SHROPJHIEI. 
U 
herself about the middle of October, being: 
careful to sow no more land at a time, than 
she can clear of potatoes that day.* 
* I do not presume to offer any estimate of the na» 
tional advantages, which might be derived from the 
general encouragement of garden-husbandry among cot- 
tagers. The benefit would, probably,, far exceed any 
calculation, if the system were but generally adopted, 
of supplying this species of domestic occupation to the 
cottager and his family for their vacant hours. — Hor- 
ticulture was the primary and original occupation of 
man. It is familiaT and congenial to his nature; and 
in our soil and climate, and under the British constitu- 
tion, it is exempt from risk and danger. The specula- 
tion of industry and attention thus employed, may be 
more or less profitable ; but it will always afford reward 
and encouragement to labour and exertion. The prac- 
tice of it will tend to promote domestic habits, — will 
attach the labourer to his own possession* and family, — 
will supply interesting occupation for his vacant hours, 
■ — and leave no space for the dissipation and idleness of 
the ale-house and the tap-room. — This is not vague and 
unsupported theory : but practical and experimental 
truth ; for the evidence of which we. may refer not 
only to this account of the family of Richard Millward, 
but to a succession and variety of- facts, stated in the 
four preceding volumes of the Society's Reports. B. 
27 1 A April 1805. 
