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avail himself of the information to be derived from the experienceof others, and who does not improve his knowledge of husban-dry, by the perusal of the ablest works which have been publish-ed on that subject. It is absurd to imagine, that the communi-cation of knowledge by printing, which has promoted the ad.vancement of every other art, should be of no use in agriculture.
6. Capital will soon be acquired by farmers possessed of pru-dence, skill, and industry, where credit is attainable, where acirculating medium abounds, and where the occupier of the soilis protected, except in times of scarcity, from the destructiveintrusion of foreign competitors.
7. But skill and capital are acquired in vain, unless a farmerlikewise possesses energy to carry on his agricultural operations.That, however, must depend, on the countenance given by theLegislature to the cultivation of the soil; on the establishmentof public institutions to promote a diffusion of knowledge, anda spirit of agricultural improvement; and, above all, on the en-.couragement given by the landlord to his tenants, by means ofleases, without which the agricultural, can never be accounted aliberal profession, and will never be followed by persons possess-ed of an independent spirit, of capital, or of ability. Certaintyin his tenure, can alone furnish a sufficient stimulus to thefarmer, to make the necessary exertions for the improvement ofhis land.
8. Where agriculture is considered, by the Government of acountry, as the proper basis of public prosperity, and as such isduly encouraged, a nation, possessed of an adequate extent ofterritory, must become great and independent; but where, toprosperous agriculture, extended commerce and numerous ma-nufactures are conjoined, an empire is raised to the highest pitchOf power and opulence ; and when wisely governed, it is morelikely than any other, both to acquire political strength, and toestablish, on sure foundations, “ the permanent happiness
“ OF A GREAT COMMUNITY. ”
POSTSCRIPT.
The principal source of all the financial difficulties of thiscountry, is, the enormous importation of foreign corn, and theimmense sums we have paid for obtaining that supply. The to-tal amount, for the last twenty years, will appear from the fol-lowing authentic document.
P d
VOL. II.