Kb3 DUuc; ri HoUinger Corp. pH8.5 \ TO THE / I RKODE-ISLAND SOCIETY FOR THE EXCOURAGEMENT OF Delivered at Pawtuxel, October 16lb, 1822. y BY THE HON. ASHER ROBBINS. PROVIDENCE : MILLER & HUTCHENS, PRINTERS. 1822. \N Pawtuxet, October 17, 1822. Sir, We have the honour, in behalf of the Society for the Encourage- ment of Domestick Industry, to return you their thanks, for the excel- lent Atkiress delivered by you, yesterday, before the Society : And to request a copy for the Press. We are, with sentiments of the highest respect, WILLIAM WILKINSON, ) S. T. NORTHAM, } CommilUc. WM. E. RICHMOND, ) Honourable Asher Robbius. Pawtuxet, October 17, 1822. Gentlemen, In compliance "with the request, contained in yonr polite communi- cation of this date, I have the honour to furnish herewith, a copy of th* Address referred to. With sentiments of perfect esteem, I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, ASHER ROBBINS. William Wilkinson, S. T. Northam and William E P^ichmond, Esq's. Committee in behalf of the Society for the Encouragement of Do- mestick Industry. ABBIBS^i. It is pleasing to witness the spirit of agricultural enterprize and improvement rising in every part ol our country. This spirit, if not now universal, is rapidly becoming so. We see it breaking out eve- ry where — in the middle States, in the northern, in the southern, in the western ; and like the kind- ling fire, we see it gathering strength as it rises and spreads. Who does not see in this rising spirit a subject of national felicitation.'^ Perhaps the great- est this country ever had ; certainly greater than any other country ever had. Was even the spirit of Uberty itself, which produced the Revolution, and gave us our independence, more a subject of national congratulation ? That indeed was a glo- rious spirit, and its fruit was glory, as well as in- dependence. But who can estimate the value of this new-born spirit which now animates our coun- try, when we consider our great and rapidly in- creasing population, their characteristick ardour in every lucrative pursuit, their acuteness in dis- covering, sagacity in improving, and dexterity in applying, the means best fitted to accomplish their ends, and their boldness in enterprize ; but above all, that boundless scope which our country af- fords, for the range of this spirit; and all this, un- der the most favourable political auspices, that any country ever was blessed with.^ Here the soil is the people's ; the government is the people's ; every thing is tlieir own ; every acquisition is se- cure ; every acquisition belongs to the acquire f ; he is in no danger of losing it by the rapacious hand of external violence ; nor by the no less rapa- cious hand of internal oppression ; he sits under the shade of his self-regulated and protected freedom with none to make him afraid : advantages in the aggregate that never before attended any people on earth. I say, when we consider all these things, who can estimate the value of this spirit, which is now kindled and kindling, every where through- out our country, in this great pursuit ? Should it be aided by that system of political economy which our circumstances point out, and recommend to us ; which let us hope will be the case, though as yet it does not seem to have been sufficiently studied or understood, by the majority of those who have had the lead in our aflfairs ; it will give in time, and no distant time, the most astonishing results. Should we now anticipate these results, and state them, the picture of our country, as it would then appear, would seem to many like the visions of poetry; but it would be no fancy pic- ture, it would be a true description ; it would be what will be realized to us by the genius of agri- culture whenever it becomes that of our country. And let us hope she is about to make this country her favorite abode ; that here is to be her temple and her altar ; (never was a genius more deserv- ing of both, never was a people more worthy to be her worshippers,) that our land is to be filled with the monuments of her wonder-working power; that some future Virgil will celebrate her praises in his immortal strains ; will record that of all the lands beneath the sun, this was her chosen seat ; will sing, " Hie illius arma ; " Hie currus fuit : That she will here pour forth her streams of wealth, like rivers of gold from her sources, that can never fail, but will for ever increase ; that by these streams she will lead us to the glory, not of arms. but of arts ; and fill our country with their trophies, and their monuments ; that then standing on the heights of ourAUeghanies, she will send her glances from the shores of the Atlantick ocean to those of the Pacifick ; from the lakes, and the St. Law- rence in the north, to the gulph of our own Flori- das, and the borders of the Tropick and behold one universal scene displayed of her peaceful tri- umphs. But " Thro' states utinumbered tho' this power be known, " 'Tis ours to hail her, only in our own." Here we have every thing to invite to enterprize and encourage hope — the great and growing mar- ket afforded by our commerce and our manufac- tures ; the vicinity of all our lands to this market ; the natural fertihty of much of our soil; the great improvements which it all admits of, and the abun- dant means we have of making them; but above all, that great capital at command, and ready to be employed, as the profits of its employment in this channel shall become better and better under- stood. Yes, we may confidently hope that our little State, though among the smallest of the tribes of our land, as she now, relatively to her extent and population, takes the lead of all the States, in the two great branches of industry — commerce and manufactures ; so she will soon take the same rela- tive lead in this branch — that as we now talk of our eminent and successful merchants, our great and flourishing manufactures, we shall soon have wherewith to boast of our opulent farmers and prosperous agriculture. Then, with a wealthy community in all its classes, we shall no longer lament the want of common resources for the sup- port of those establishments, which impart know- ledge and diffuse refinement ; which secure rights, and connect them with the feelingof security; which nourish the virtues, and teach the graces that adorn them ; which throw over the surface of life its charm and embellishment, and make it at once splendid and happj. Nor do I think I am too sanguine in this hope, when I look around upon the number of our eminent citizens turning their minds to this object ; when I recollect their intel- ligence, their means, their ardency of pursuit, the great things they may accomplish themselves, the still greater they may effect by the influence of their example. Particularly, when it is found to be a certain road to riches, as undoubtedly it may be made. Yes, my fellow-citizens, here lies a mine of wealth that has been overlooked and neglected, that never has been wrought by us, though it may be to great profit ; not lying hid in the depths of the earth, but richer than any buried there ; lying at its surface, more inviting to adventure, and more promising in its results. The till late common notion that agriculture could not be made a profitable business, at least comparatively so to other branches of industry, is fast wearing away. It is descending to the tomb of departed errours ; for undoubtedly it is an erroneous notion. It is born of ignorance, and will die with its mother ; and die, 1 hope, soon, and mother and offspring be buried in the same grave, for it has been a most pernicious errour to the interests of agriculture. It has kept it in a state of degraded and degrading neglect. Its inlluence has diverted talent and sci- ence and capital and enterprize to other pursuits. How different have been the fortunes of the arts of manufacture ? What obligations for instance they owe to science ? Its discoveries have been applied to aid, to improve, and to perfect them. The most powerful minds are employed in inventing the means of facilitating their operations ; they draw to them capital in abundance ; where one can not furnish it, numbers join for the purpose ; every new improvement of every place is eagerly sought after, in every place adopted ; every thing that pro- mises to be an improvement is readily tried — they have prospered — they have made returns accord- ingly. And commerce too, how eagerly it is em- braced, and every channel of it pursued ? In both, property is rapidly accumulated and large fortunes acquired. And it is this success that tends to con- firm the pernicious errour alluded to, for these results are not witnessed in agriculture. This errour further tends to conrirm itself It first induces the neglect of agriculture, and then that nefflecl induces the failure of the business. It be- gins in falsehood, but ends m tact, by its own mis- chievous operation. But it is time to expose the periiicious errour, and to have it finally exploded. Capital in agriculture may be employed in a two-fold manner, in the purchase of land or in im- provements upon it. Money invested in lands ei- ther for rent or occupation, though secure, is not at present profitable ; it is less so than money at six per cent, interest. But laid out in improve- ments, it is profitable ; more so than Banks, and equally so with commerce and manufactures. The whole of the capital of agriculture, or nearly the whole, with us, is invested in the land ; very little is applied to improvements. The accumulations from rent or occupation go to the purchase of more land, or go to loans on interest ; or go to some other braiich of business. So little goes to improvements, that very few farms hold tJieir own ; the greater part deteriorate, and their little profit is yearly be- coming less. There arc some exceptions, but this is the general state of our agriculture. Hence it is that this business is unprofitable ; and it is impos- sible on this system that it should be otherwise. The reason is, that the wages of labour absorb so much of the proceeds of the produce, that very lit- tle is left as a surplus ; the gain consequently is ve- ry gradual, and the accumulation rever great. If the cost of production equal the value of the pro- (luce, there is no profit at all, for it is the excess of the value bejond the cost that is the measure of the profit ; and the poorer the state of the land is, the more nearly are these necessarily balanced. — The cost of cultivation is the same or nearly so, whe- ther the soil be productive or unproductive. Hence, as the productiveness decreases, the profits de- crease, till they become nothing — till the business becomes a losing business. We see the cause then, why our present agriculture is unprofitable; and that this cause must continue to have this effect whilst this system continues. It is thus that a branch of business which might have been made a great source of publick and private wealth, has, by a wrong system of management, been found un- productive; considered as an unpromising business, and neglected for other pursuits. The great drawback upon agriculture is the wages of labour. The high rate of wages is the gen- eral complaint, and the general argument against the pursuit. Now it is precisely upon this point that capital in improvements operates its benefit. It enlarges the diflerence between the value of the produce and the cost of production, particularly in the article of labour. And this difference by means of improvements, may be made so great, as to make this objection, founded upon the dearness of labour, entirely vanish. Numerous are the objects of improvements, and abundant the means of making them; and there is not one of them on which capital may not be profit- ably employed, and very profitably. Combine the cost of the land with the cost of these improve- ments; consider both as a joint capital; still the profit will be very great. Then for those who have already capital, invested in land, to withhold capi- tal from improvements, is to render their invested capital, poor stock; and to keep it so — is to refuse a further employment of capital, which by itself 9 would be extremely advantageous ; and by its con- nexion with that already imested, would make both so. Nothing can be more injudicious, upon calculations of pecuniary interest. It' the farmer were to employ his profits in im- provements, he would find the profit arising from his profits, beyond comparison greater, than upon the present plan of loaning his profits upon interest, or in other branches of business. Money, in im- provements, is money at great interest, and at com- pound interest. Upon this principle it is, that for- tunes are accumulated in trade and manufactures. Profits become capital ; new^ capital produces new profits, and in this way, if the business prosper, the mass of capital is continually increasing, and a for- tune is the result. It is upon this principle that for- tunes have been acquired in agriculture, wherever they have been acquired; and where the true prin- ciple has been acted upon, and in proportion as it has been acted upon, has property been acquired by it. In England it is not uncommon for a farmer to retire upon a fortune acquired by farming. It is true the business there has some advantages over us in the cheapness of labour, and in markets ; but then these are offset by disadvantages, that out- weigh them, and leave the balance in our favour. Indeed nothing displays so strikingly the prolifick energy of this principle of employing capital in improvements, as the successful agriculture of Eng- land against the enormous taxes it has had to contend w ith. But I may be asked, why do you not give the demonstration, by giving particular statements ; by specifying the improvements to be made, and the means of making them; and by comparing the re- sults with the costs ? This, doubtless, would be the proper way, on a proper occasion; but the present will not admit of it. A partial enumeration, or a summary statement would not do justice to the ar- 10 gument — would not impart that light, and carry that conviction, which a complete enumeration, and a full development of each particular could not fail to produce. And this would be matter for a practical treatise and would fill a volume. But can volumes be necessary — need any more be said to dissipate an erroneous opinion, which every one must see has been founded on what agricul- ture has been, not on what it may be ? There is, also, a certain prejudice, which it is desirable should be removed, as it operates inju- riously to the interests of agriculture. It is some- thing akin to the erroneous opinion we have been combatting, but affects a different class of men. It is the prejudice against the science of agriculture, against book-farming, as it is sometimes contemptu- ously called. This is felt more or less, if not avow- ed, by the great body of our practical farmers. It is to be hoped, that this, too, is wearing out, and will soon cease to be felt at all. They conceive that farming is a business of experience and skill : so far they are right — that agriculture must adapt it- self to the situation, and will be, and ought to be different in different countries : here too, there is no quarrel with them. But when they go further, and suppose that no instruction is to be gathered from the experience and skill of other countries, no useful lights to be gained from books, no ad- vantages to be reaped from understanding the the- ory of those results to which their business, me- chanically, conducts them ; here they deceive themselves, and, in a matter, in which they, of all men, are most directly, and deeply interested. Let them reffect,that though productions vary, with sit- uation, and modes of culture with production, yet that principles are, every where the same; that Nature is the great efficient power, in all the ope- rations of husbandry ; that she acts upon her own principles of agency ; that the business of science 11 is to discover, and teach her principles, and of art, to apply the means of assisting her operations ; that a knowledge of these principles is usclul to a discovery of these means ; and that a full discov- ery of all such means can only be expected from this knowledge. Let them retlect further, that ex- perience is. and has been, the teacher of others too, all over the earth, in all its ages, and that her lessons are not confined to them ; that she has sug- gested different means, to the same ends, in differ- ent places ; and that it is presumptuous, and too much to believe, that she has taught us here, the very best of these means, and left us nothingto learn. Let them reilect,again,that all their farming-knowl- edge, valuable as it is, was once theory, and ex- isted only in speculation; that it became practi- cal from experiment, and is now familiar from tradi- tionary experience; sothat their prcjudiceis against the means by which their present knowledge was originally acquired, and operates to proscribe all future improvement, from the same fruitful source. Let me not be misunderstood. I do not blame the farmer, for his unwillingness to leave the beaten track of his own experience, and venture on new, and untried enterprizes — upon processes which he has neither verified by experiments of his own, nor seen verified, by those of others; which must be attended with expense, and may be followed by disappointment. This cautious spirit, ready to improve, but prudent of expense, is commend- able in him. This is not the prejudice I complain of — far from it. It is the farmer, I blame, who turns a deaf, or incredulous ear to all instruction ; who condemns new things because they are new; who dislikes to see them attempted, and likes to see them fail ; who deride? the innovation, as a project, and the innovator as a projector; who keeps him- self aloof, and warns others, from the specious, but dansjerous noveltv. 12 Project and projector ! These are terms of de- rision, and the cfHilempt of the things gives point to the ridicide. But is this extreme contempt ju- dicious? If tSie projector fail, he hurts no one but himself. If he succeed, he benefits society, but he seldom benefits himself Hard is the fortune of the poor projector; — certainty of disgrace is one event, and in the other no certainty of reward ! Yet what obligations the world is under to him ! Evei'y use- ^ ful invention among mankind was originally a pro- ject — even the plough was so. So was the draught of the plough by tlie horse and the ox. AY hat pro- ject ever appeared wilder, when it was lirst pro- posed, than that of catching a wild animal, in the wilderness, and training him to the draught of the plough ? Yet the bull and the horse once were such wild animals. And this project, so visionary as it then seemed, resulted in accomplishing the iirst great revolution, in the progress of man, from bar- barism to a state of civilization and refinement. What future obligations the world is yet to owe to the projector, is unknown, but doubtless they are very great, particularly in this department of human industry. Probably agriculture may be considered as yet in its cradle, comparing what it now is, with what it may become : so little is known of principles and means, compared with what may be known of both. Our present knovvledge of agriculture,is a knowl- edge of effects, rather than ol" causes. Observa- tion of effects often leads to conclusions which lead to new trials, and new results of great importance. But it is reasonable to believe, that the greatest im- provements arc yet to be made, by a knowledge of causes, yet to be acquired. This is the kind of knowledge which is power ; which gives to man his control over Nature, and makes her subservient to his purposes. Here, then, let science direct her researches ! Never was a field before her niore in- 13 vlting, to the ambition of new discoveries ; never was her employment more directly useful and in- teresting to mankind ! How little is known of the economy of ISature in production! Of the secret sources of her productive powers, other proces- ses in her analyses and her combinations, of her agents, her means, and modes of operation ! Nature has her peculiar laws for every species of her production, for each genus, class, species, and variety of her plants, and for every race of every order of her animals. Can there be any doubt of the greatest results from a kriowledge of these pe- culiar laws ? The instance, I am about to mention, in exemplification of these results, may have the less etiect, as the fruit 1 have selected, is deemed an article of luxury, rather than of profit, except in par- ticular places, and to be beneath the attention of the common farmer. He will learn to correct this es- timate. Fruits in general, besides being the most in- nocent, as well as the most delicious, of all the lux- uries of the palate, may be made to him a great source of great profit. But the fruit I particularly al- lude to, is the peach. You all know, that the peach tree is short lived ; that it is so, by the course of its own nature, independent!}' of accidental caus- es of premature death ; that after giving a i'cw crops it will begin to fail, and soon perish. Now, a knowledge of its peculiar laws of vegetation and fiuctitication, has suggested a peculiar mode of management, by which a vigorous life is prolong- ed almost indefinitely, certainly beyond the pe- riod of one hundred years; and by which it is kept in a state of never failing fertility. This knowledge seems first to have been acquired, and this mode of managemciit devised, and first adopted by the ingenious gardners of Montreuil, near Paris. In that interesting village, the peach tree, displays this improvement in all its efficacy. There, it is seen giving its abundant crop of deli- 14 cious fruit, from year to year and from generation to generation. This single improvement has accu- mulated the value of the same land at least to a ten fold degree. Some analogous instances might be given in exemplication of these results, but not many. The knowledge by which they are to be produced, has not been acquired, but which, if ac- quired would as certainly produce them. Agriculture is a subject to which a number of sciences may apply their powers, and probably with great effect : such as chemistry, mineralogy, botany, and the philosophy of mechanicks. Hith- erto, their application has been directed to the va- rious arts of manufacture and medicine, and their effect in the improvement of the arts particularly, has been wonderful indeed. It is true ao-riculture owes some obligations to them, but these are com- paratively few ; and they have mostly happened, incidentily, and accidentily, in the pursuit of other objects of discovery. The improvement of agri- culture has no where been their professed object of research. Some occasional and partial investi- gations, indeed have been attempted ; and so far this general remark is to stand qualified. It has hitherto been a misfortune particularly to agriculture, that science and practical knoAvl- edge have not been more united. The agricultural- isthasnot been a man of science, nor the man of sci- ence, an agriculturalist, except in rare instances. A greater union of the two characters would be a most desirable thing. Were the man of science engag- ed in the occupations of husbandry, his attention w^ould be arrested by the phenomena daily occur- ring to his observation; his curiosity would be awak- ened as to causes ; his science would suggest to him theories for their explication, and his experiments would bring them to a test. The man of mere science is apt to keep himself to its study, and pur- suit, without thinking much of its application to 15 practical uses, especially, if he have no profession or occupation to lead, to enlighten, and to interest him in making the application. He busies himself in applying his principles upon the problems of his science, or in making discoveries to extend its boundaries. He finds his enjoyment in the contem- plation of its abstract truths, and in his triumph over the difficulties, in his march to the discovery. If he have ambition, and it is hardly possible he should be without it, it is the ambition of mere scientlfick fame. The arts have been more fortunate in this re- spect. With regard to them, the union of practical knowledge and science has been more extensive, and this union has contributed wonderfully to their improvement. The botanist and physician are often united. The artist is not unfrequently a che- mist. Indeed chemistry began Avith the artist. His alchymy laid the foundation of chemistry. In seek- ing two imaginary secrets of nature, many real ones were found — the search was continued, discovery followed (discovery, till the science has been built up to what it now is: a science, that opens to view much of the internal world of nature, wonderful at least as her external, and, perhaps, more interest- ing. For while it reads to us the same instructive lessons of that divine wisdom and benevolence, which is every where manifest, and which has no bounds,it provides a store-house ofmeans, by which the condition of human li/e is improved, and is made more happy. The chemists and the artists have a mutual intercourse to their mutual profit. The artist attends the lectures of the chemist to learn the principles of the arts, and to perfect him- self in the means of perfecting them. The chemist visits the work-shop of the artist, to witness the practical operation of his own principles, and to get new hints and new lights, for new studies. In- deed the practical operations of the artist are near- 16 ly allied to the studies of the chemist, which are carried on by practical operations of a kindred nature. The means of extending this union of practical knowledge and science, with regard to Agriculture, are so many, so obvious, and so practicable, and may be made so effectual when the publick mind shall be turned in earnest towards the subject, that we may indulge the most sanguine hopes from this source of future improvement. A sketch of these means, with the proper explanations, together with a de- scription ofthe operation, which the sciences allu- ded to would have — how they would respectively enrich agriculture uith their peculiar contributions — these would make a large theme. I could dwell upon it with much pleasure, to myself at least; and every lover of agriculture, who turns his mind to the contemplation, will find it a most interesting one. But I must forbear from it, at present, or omit some other topicks which perhaps ought not to be omit- ted; trusting to what I hnve said as suthcient to remove the prejudice which opposes itself to any changes in our present system of farming. Ye Farmers then, lay aside your prejudices ! Be blinded by them no longer ! Open your eyes to your own great and immediate interest, in the object of improving the husbandry ofthe State! Be assur- ed, that it is a practicable object, and to an extent which at present you little imagine ; that it may be easily and rapidly accomplished with your cordial co-operation; that you are itivited to it by the most powerful considerations — the rapid accumulation of property, the placing yourselves in situations of comfort, of independence, of blessing, and being- blessed by, your iamilies, of providing for their ed- ucation, their establishment and their happiness in life, of making your sons and daughters worthy of their country, and your country proud of them ! — And ye men of capital, who have imbibed a preju- 17 dice against the employment of capital in the busi- ness of agriculture, under a notion that it is, and must be an unprofitable investment, be assured that this is an unfounded prejudice ; that it may be made a profitable investment, as much so as in any other bi-anch of industry, besides being attended with less risk than most other investments ! Capital is the very thing which is wanted. It is this want, and the ignorance of the \ery great and profitable use that may be made of capital, which has kept our agriculture down so low as it is, and made it so un- profitable as it has been. This has been the occa- sion of your prejudice. You have the means of sup- plying this want, and are the very men to embark in this business. Like every other branch of indus- try indeed, it demands the requisite qualifications for success ; the requisite knowledge, the requisite skill, the requisite attention, industry and econo- my ; but these are as easily acquired or command- ed for this branch of industry as for any other. Your capital gives you the command of the means of knowledge and of the use of skill. Attention, in- dustry and economy depend on yourselves. Every source of improvement that is known, here or else- where, is wiihin your reach ; every source for im- proving the productive powers of the soil, and abridging the expense of cultivation ; every source of improvement, as to the plants to be grown, the grains, the grasses, the roots and the fruits ; every source of improvement, as to the animals to be kept and propagated. In a word, every source of im- provement, as to every species of rural economy, and all further improvements, as they arise from time to time, from further discoveries, here and else- where,will also be within your reach. And from the universal ardour, kindled, and kindling, in this pur- suit, these further improvements may be expected to be very many and very great. Yes, you will as- suredly find it a very profitable, as well as the most 3 18 delightful of occupations ; so delightful, that the sense of profit from your improviisg resources vvill be forgotten in the greater sense of pleasure m the pursuit! The first great object will be to augment the pro- ductive powers of tlie soil. This is the most impor- tant of all improvements. It lies at the foundation of all, it takes the lead of all, and gives much of their value to all. This once efFectcd, success is certain, and in proportion as it has been ctiected. Land once raised to a state of high fertility is easily kept fertile. It contains within itself and "ives the means of doing this, under a proper use and application of those means. The sources for means of augment- ing this productive power must in a measure de- pend on the given situation, its nature and advan- tages. But there is scarcely any situation embra- cing a considerable extent of land, say, one hundred acres, which does not compri&e these means, and is not connected with them, to a sufficient degree, to effectuate this object. Many situations possess them, in the greatest abundance, and some of these apparently the most promising. This pro- ductive power is acquired to land, by improve- ments, that in their nature are permanent, and by such as are adventitious only, requiring to be re- newed from time to time. It is the latter only, which has commanded any attention, among us, and this attention has been CTttremely limited. Nothing like the full benefit of this resource has been realized. Neither all the various kinds of manure are known, among us, nor the different modes and facilities of its manufacture and accu- mulation. The adventitious resource of fertility, from cultivation itself, a very great one indeed, so far from being understood in that light, is supposed to be, necessarily, a cause of deterioration and ste- rility; and by its perversion, actually is so. As to permanent improvements of this productive power,- 1 19 they are not attempted at all, nor even thought of> Draining and irrigation, in certain situations, and almost all convenient and practicable means of mending the composition of the soil, present ob- jects for this species of improvement, and the most inviting objects. Plantation presents another. Water isatoncethegreatestenemy,and the great- est friend of vegetation. In its excess and stag- nation in the soil, it is pernicious, and the cause of sterility. In its diffusion and gentle currency over the soil, it is the greatest instrument of fer- tilization yet known. The evil of this element is subdued, and its great good acquired by the arts of draining and irrigation. These are arts, and it is in vain to think of these improvements, with- out a knowledge of the arts, and without the practical artist to execute the work. These arte are, in a manner, unknown in this country ; but, fortunately, they are simple, and easily learned, and the foreign artist is easily procured. Much more of our land is accessible to irrigation than we have any idea of, or can have, without more knowledge of the subject. We see this resource only in places, where it is obvious to the unlearn- ed eye ; but the theorist and the artist w ould see this resource with very ditlerent eyes. He would see it in our numberless streams, and the height of their sources above the great body of our lands. Some of these streams, it is true, fail in sinnmer, and would deny the means of summer irrigation ; but winter irrigation is valuable, almost as valua- ble as suTimer, and, wherever it is practicable, merits the utmost attention. This improvement would bring relief to the farmer, when relief is most wanted, when he is most distressed, when his stock is mo^t liable to suffer, and suffers most; that is, from the breaking up of winter, till the growth of grass. It would produce to him the most luxuriant and abundant pasturage, through 20 that plncliing period, for his cows and their calves, his ewes and their lambs, and for all the young, of all his stock ; and this, without the least injury to the crops of hay to follow, whicli would, notwith- standing, be most abundant. Irrigation, though generally appropriated to grass, is applicable to grain, and w ould probably be found superiour to any thing, for promoting the fruitfulness of orch- ards. An improvement, which gives to the barren and desolate waste the fertility of a garden, and makes that fertility perennial, can hardly be too hi""hly appreciated, or too dearly bought. But in many situations, it might be had at an expense so trilling, that it would give an annual profit of some huiidred per cent, upon the cost of t!ie improvement. Draining is a simpler art, more easily learned, the artist more easily procured, executed with less expense, but attended with effects equally bene- ficial, and with profits equally great. This is eve- ry where practicable, if needed, or if there be any exceptions, they must exist in very peculiar situa- tions. Individuals indeed, may perversely oppose obstacles, to tlie prejudice of their neighbours, as well as of themselves, but nature has interposed none, or if any, in very rare instances; for the requisite fall is almost every where to be found. S vamps, and swfim'^y lands, are the great scene of this improvement. It is a mistake, however, to suppose them the only scene. Much of our land, which is dry in summer, dry enough for late tillage, would be greatly benefitted by draining. All soil is deteriorated by being water-soaked, through a considerable portion of the year. One half of the value of manure, perliaps more, is lost on such lands. Only the more inforiour grains and grasses can be grown on them ; and of these, the crops are at best inferiour. All soil should be suffi- ciently drained to be dry enough for tillage, the moment the frost is out of it. Then every particle 21 of manure tells ; then, the earliest tillage may taiie place ; then, the most valuable grains, and grasses, may be grown; then, the crops will be abundant; then, you may see the harvests of the winter grains — the wheat, and the rye ; of the summer grains — the barley, and the maize ; the sweet and nutri- tious grasses,and particularly, the clovers; and the green crops of the esculent vegetables, where now you see the coarse, sour, tufted, bog-grass, the wild- Hag, the moss-hummock, and the whole tribe of aqueous vegetation ; — or, if in late tillage, where you now see a stunted growth of meagre oats, or more meagre Indian corn. Our swamps, and swampy grounds, have been considered of very little value, and, in many in- stances, rather as nuisances, than as property, oc- casioning some expense, and yielding no profit. And in their present state, and if that state is to be continued, they are justly so considered; though they have, in themselves, an inexhaustible treasure of fertility, a deeper, a richer, and more lasting soil, than any we possess; capable of giving great- er crops, of every kind, and incapable of being exhausted. Here it is, that draining becomes the most profitable of all improvements, accumulates the most value from the least outlay, creates a cap- ital, out of nothing, as it were, at an expense that is, as nothing, compared to that capital, and which in some cases, is reimbursed, by the profits of the first year. The substance of a good soil is made up of dif- ferent kinds of earth, in certain proportions to each other, but intimately mixed and compounded into an uniform body. This compound we call a loam, which, you know, is of different kinds, depending on the different proportions in which the compo- nent kinds of earth are blended together. One kind of earth, alone, will not make a good soil. No art can make it so, by itself. It may be forced 22 to do something, but not enough to pay the ex- pense of the cultivation. Thus, either a pure sand, or a pure clay, cannot be worked to advantage ; but sand and clay, intimately mixed, become a loam and make a good soil. In this mixture of earths, necessary to a good soil, there are several other kinds, but commonly, in smaller proportions. Among these, the principal one is what is called calx, a kind of earth, partaking of the nature of lime, and abounding, more or less, in all good soils, but so diffused and blended with the mass, as not to be distinguishable by the eye. The com- position of a soil, then, is to be improved, by sup- plying the kind of earth which it w mts. Is a part of your farm too sandy? It will be improved by carting on clays, or strong loams. Is a part too clayey ? It will be improved by carting on sands, or sandy loams. Your compost manure heaps too, for your sands, ought to be on a basis of clay, or strong loam. For your clays, the basis ought to be sand, or sandy loam. Then, your manures, while they enrich, will improve the composition of your soil. You will unite the adventitious, and permanent improvement, in the same operation. The great difficulty is, to effect the intimate un- ion of the superadded earth, with the soil to be im- proved. In this consists the whole art of the improve- ment. One errour, to be guarded against, is, the attempting to do too much, at once. The incorpo- ration is only to be effected, by moderate dressings, from year to year. Time, and nature, do this work for man, which he cannot do, at once, for himself Another errour, to be avoided, is that of burying the superadded earth, in the soil. It is to be ap- plied, as a top-dressing, and left to work its own way into an incorporation with the soil ; and it is found better applied, on a surface of turf, than on the bare mould. 23 The improvement of the composition of the soil has been, for a long time, and still is, an object of much attention, in England, and the effects, there^ have been wonderfully great. The most produc- tive agricultural district, now in England, that, which exhibits the most perfect model of their most perfect agriculture, that, which gives the largest returns to the same capital in labour and cultiva- tion, was once, and not long ago, a mere sand ; kept for sheep-walks and rabbit-warrens, and rent- ed for a trifle. I allude to a considerable portion of the county of Norfolk. Beneath this sand, which was about four feet deep, was found a sub- soil of clay, of great depth. This was brought to the surface and a soil made, w hich is now the pride of the agriculture of England. It is amidst those high scenes of cultivation, on his own estates, where the celebrated Coke displays his splendid hospitality at his famous sheep-shearings — it is there, the agriculture of England pays annual homage to its patron and benefactor — it is there^ the American too, meets a welcome, and finds his, and his country's friend, in his hospitable host. This species of improvement has extended itself all over England, and of late, its theory, as well a& the art, has attracted very particular attention. It was one principal object of the lectures of Sir Humphrey Davy. Our cleared lands are too much cleared ; too bare of trees. The land suffers, the crop suffers, the stock suffers, in consequence. Plantation is wanted. And it is an improvement so attainable,, it may be made so profitable, it would tend so much to embellish our farms, that it is deserving of at- tention, independently of its efTect, in adding to the fertility of the soil, which, however, is such, as to be alone a sufficient recommendation. Why enclosure and shelter of fields, of moderate extent, should augment their productive powers, it 24 tnay be difficult to tell exactly. But that it has this effect, and to a striking degree, I think is cer- tain. Whether it be, that the effluvia of the earth is more confined — is less liable to dissipation and dispersion, or whether it be, that the atmosphere, being more confined, makes larger deposits, or whether, both causes operate, or whether some other cause operates — the eflfect is unquestionable. We see it in every instance — even the shelter of a bush, or a whifT of straw, we see, has this ef- fect. This effect is visible from the shelter, even of our common stone-walls ; at least, within the in- fluence of that shelter. But when these walls are lined with trees, it is more conspicuous. We see then, that vegetation is earlier, is later, is stronger, for the shelter ; and that its friendly influence is felt on every kind of crop. The same effect has been verified, and is attest- ed, by every new enclosure made from the downs in England. These, you know, are vast extended commons, lying bare to the heavens. You know, also, that enclosure in England, is at the same time shelter — that their enclosures are live-hedges. This effect, there, is so great, as to strike the most careless observer, and it is frequently referred to, by their writers, in proof of the fertilizing effect of enclosure. Whether for fruit, fuel or timber, or all three, "svhat a resource this might be made to every farm ; — a resource, too, that would take no- thing from the produce of the meadow, or the corn- field, or the pasture, but would add to that of all three ; and a resource, so cheaply to be acquired, that it is within the command of every farmer ! We come now, to the adventitious improvements, requiring to be renewed from time to time. The great article of manure is first and chief. Cultiva- tion is a great subsidiary to this, but cannot be made a complete substitute. The perfection of agriculture results from the combination of both. 25 But, manure— manure, is the one thing needful. This is the true labour-saving machinery of production. It does the work of many hands. It does the work no hands can do ; gives jou a choice of your kinds of crops ; gives you the richest, the most valuable, and most profitable, instead of such inferiour ones only, as the land will otherwise bear. It will give you the wheat, and the barley-crop ; — any kind of green crop of esculent vegetables ; the hemp, the dax, the tobacco crop ; the richest grasses, the lu- cern, and clovers ; the pistil, the madder, and other plants, for the manufacturer; the poppy, the saffron, the licorice, the rhubarb, and other plants, for the druggist. Let this object, then, the accumulation of manures, be your constant study and effort, your thought by day and by night; for here is to be dis- played the test of good farming and of the good farmer. It is evident, generally speaking, that it will not do to rely on collateral resources, for a requisite supply. In particular situations, these are great, and may be found sufficient. Such are sit- uations, in the neighbourhood of large towns, of distilleries, of the sea-shore, and some others. Such are situations, in which the plaister and lime will answer, and near to water carriage. In these situations, these collateral resources ought never to be neglected. They ought to be taken hold of eagerly. The whole benefit of them should be secured and fully realized. But the great resource of our farms must be their internal means of supply, and fortunately, these may be made sufficient. Yes, you have the means, within your farms, of raising them to the fertihty of gardens'; not at once, but progressively, step by step, and by advances more and more rapid, as you proceed. You are to take care, however, not to lose by your improvidence, what you gain by your industry ; and, in your eagerness after immediate profits, waste the fund of your future profit, and exhaust your 4 26 land, as fast as you enrich it. Be satisfied with your golden egg, day after day ; nor in your ava- rice to get at her treasure, at once, kill your hen that lays it. This work is to be begun, by the stock you have, and can keep, on }our farm. They are to be your manufacturers of manure, and if supplied with sufficient material, will manufac- ture a great deal; at least ten times the quantity, that is ordinarily made from them. And this manure will be equal in quality, as well as so much aug- mented in quantity. It may be made, too, to com- municate an improvement to the soil, which never will be lost, whilst it communicates to the growing crop the nourishment it requires, and on which its virtue is expended. The material is to be, earth of any kind, and litter of every kind. It is a mis- take to suppose, that only turf or mould are good for this purpose. Turf and mould, to be sure, are best — they are already, almost manures. But any earth will answer the purpose well enough. For litter, nothing is amiss : straw, stubble, roots of corn-stalks, weeds, coarse-grass, leaves, small brush; in a word, every thing that is capable of rotting and fermenting. These are to make the beds, on which the stock are to make their depo- sites, and to be kept ; and every kind of stock — horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and even poultry, aret