2 AGRIOCULTURAL REPORT.

so largely paid to it by the exact and natural sciences, the ingenious inventions that have augmented its productive forces, the wonderful

mechanisms by means of which it has rendered tributary the physical

powers of Nature to spare the labor of animals as well as that of man, it is not surprising that the attention of governments, as well as of individuals, should have been directed towards the encouragement and improvement of farming pursuits. A more careful and exact inquiry into their guiding principles has been instituted, and a desire manifested to give them an elementary and communicable shape, so far as might be found practicable for the benefit of those who should be interested in their study. But the growing estimation, popularity, and widely extended adoption of agricultural pursuits among all grades of society, in both hemispheres; the distribution of books and other publications, treating on the subject; the formation of numerous associations, special and general, for its promotion; and the constant activity of discussion which has ensued, have all tended to draw towards it a degree of attention and scrutiny, probably unpre- cedented in the history of mankind. By the appliances and improve- ments which have resulted from modern art and discovery, forests have been cleared; marshes and lakes drained and converted into arable fields; hill-sides and plains made fertile by irrigation; useful products introduced or improved, and their properties recognized, represented, and compared with those of the soils in which they grew; telegraphs have been extended from zone to zone; seas united; continents traversed by rail-roads and canals, and oceans navigated by steam. Political changes and the combined efforts of individuals, as well as of States, have also contributed to infuse into it a warmth of discussion, which, whatever its present effects, cannot fail to be regarded as one of the most powerful vehicles of information and corrected views. Thus nations have become more intimately con- nected; their arts, commerce, and manufactures increased, which, krom the great extent of their influence, have caused the various countries reciprocally to respond to each other with all their attendant advantages and blessings.

In presenting the following accounts of the encouragement given to agriculture by some of the principal governments of Europe, the writer wishes it to be understood that it has not been done with the idea that all which has been practised by our brethren beyond sea is applicable to our own husbandry or economy, nor with the expecta- tion that it will be imitated by us; but they are simply offered with the view of enabling us to compare some of the public operations of agriculture in the Old World with those of the New, which, it is believed, will prove suggestive in enlarging the fields of labor of the Agricultural Societies in the United States.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN RUSSIA.

. It has been asserted that no empire but Russia“ ever succeeded in keeping so vast a portion of the globe a secret and a mystery

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