144 ON THE FOLIATION 
§* 4 • 
The prudent hufbandman will above all 
things watch with the greateft care the proper 
time for fowing •, becaufe this with the Divine 
afiiftance produces plenty of provifions, and lays 
the foundation of the public welfare of the 
kingdom, and of the private happinefs of the 
people. The ignorant farmer being more te- 
nacious of the ways, and cuftoms of his an- 
ceftors, fixes his fowing feafon generally to a- 
month, and to a day *, whether or no the earth 
be prepared to receive the feed he little cares. 
From whence it frequently happens, that the 
fields do not return what might be expe&ed, 
and that what the fower fowed with fweat, the 
reaper reaps with forrow. Wife oecoriomifts 
therefore in all ages have endeavored to their 
utmoft to fix: a certain time for fowing ; but 
hitherto their labor has proved fruitlefs. There 
have been fome, who have tryed to difcover 
the qualities of the land necdlary for this pur- 
pofe, by tafte and fmell * nor have there been 
wanting to others, who were perfuaded* that 
the fmell of the earth, and the Jila diva vir - ' 
ginis * 5 were infallible figns of feed-time. All 
* I do not underftand t be meaning of thefe words. 
which# 
