OF TREES. 
i45 
I 
which, although perhaps they are not wholly 
without foundation, are yet inefficient for ob- 
taining the end we aim at. For the experience 
of many years has taught us, that the feeds of 
one and the fame fpecies fown in the fame 
ground at different times do not produce equal 
crops. We have feen even a great difference 
between what was fown in the morning, and 
the afternoon. Thus alfo while one plant is 
vigorous and floriffies, another of the fame 
nature, and raifed in the fame foil withers, and 
dyes. The farmer often throws the caufe of 
fcarcity upon Providence, that means to puniffi 
an ungratefull people, by ordering the fields 
to mourn in weeds, and the corn to mock the 
the threffiers toil with empty hulks ; but it may 
be with truth afferted, that this fqrmife is 
often without foundation. He ought rather to 
complain of his own imprudence, and accufe 
himfelf that his granary is not better llored. 
We look up to the ftars u , and without rea- 
fon fuppofe that the changes on earth will an- 
fwer 
v This looking up to the liars for this purpofe, was trans- 
mitted down to us by the Greeks and Romans from ^Egypt, 
where the feafons being much more regular than in thefe nor- 
thern parts, might be as fure a guide in that countrey, as any 
they could follow. But an allronomical calendar perhaps may 
L not 
