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what has occurred nearer our own times. After the daring ex-pedition of the immortal Columbus had added a new world to theold, the enterprising Europeans flocked to the favoured islandswhich he had discovered, where
Nature
Wanton’d as in her prime, and play’d at will
Iler virgin fancies. Milt.
On these dwelt a simple race, in the earliest stage of society,—supported solely by the spontaneous productions of an exuberantsoil and climate. The bold invaders, eager to enjoy the delicateand high valued vegetable productions, which the long w'orn soiland feeble sun of their native lands refused to yield, exerted allthat activity to which they were habituated on the cultivation oftheir new possessions, and obtained in profusion the recompenseof their labour. Year after year the same industry was exercis-ed till the exhausted soil could no longer make the profitable re-turns hitherto experienced ; and it was found necessary to resortto the means practised in the old world, of making applicationsfor recruiting it. But illustrations to show that the fertility of thesoil must be exhausted by repeated culture and cropping, are need-less : for, though that which is happily constructed, while it re-mains untouched, will continue annually to produce the quantityof herbage proportioned to its natural fertility, without failing ;after the hand of industry has for some time been exercised uponit, to excite more abundant artificial products, it is at lengthworn out, and demands restoratives; as universal experience hasfully evinced.
It is at tin's period, when the natural fertility of the soil hasbeen generally diminished by repeated cropping, that a new erain the history of Agriculture commences. Heretofore, to turnthe glebe,—to divide its parts,—to expose new surfaces,—andthere to deposit seeds, required only corporeal exertion : butwhen decayed fertility is to be restored, it becomes necessary toinquire and to study what substances are adapted to the purpose :—experience must be consulted,—reasoning must be exercised,—the powers of the mind called in aid of those of the body, andagriculture then begins to assume the character of a science.As this progress advances,—so far as prejudices are overcome,—fanciful theories rejected,—the laws of nature diligently studied,— and fair reasoning from well established facts admitted, so farwill this character become more perfect; and agriculture willbe still more successful, as the means of supporting fertility isbetter understood. And this being of the first importance to theprosperity, nay, even to the existence, of society, it is surelythe most meritorious employment of philosophy.
All those substances which have been administered to the soil,for awakening its latent or restoring its decayed fertility, have,by common acceptation, obtained the name c-f Manure , the mo-