Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/208

182]  during the two last years by the Board of Agriculture," &c. (8vo. pp. 300, Miller, 1800), impartially exhibited the great advantages that might result from the national adoption of the drill-husbandry. We regret that our limits will permit us only to extract a few leading circumstances from his Lordship's publication. In order to ascertain, beyond the possibility of doubt, the infinite superiority of the drilling, over that of the broad-cast method of sowing, he applied to three gentlemen alike eminent for their agricultural skill, and each of whom made use of different drill-ploughs. From an accurate statement it appears, that the expences attendant on the old and new practices, are as follow:

Both estimates were made from actual experience, by the industrious Mr., and communicated to Lord by the Rev. H. J. , of Hordle, near Lymington; from whose letter we insert the following computation of an annual saving that may be effected by the uniform practice of the drill-husbandry; and which, at a moderate calculation, will amount to not less than eight millions of bushels of wheat, one million of bushels of rye, three millions of bushels of barley, four millions of bushels of oats, and one million of bushels of beans and peas!

Having, however, in the course of attentive observation, during the last twenty years, witnessed many disappointments, both in statistical and political schemes, we are not so sanguine in our expectations, as to place implicit confidence on any general statement, especially when it is exemplified by round numbers. Nevertheless, in justice to the zealous supporters of the drill-plough, we fully admit its superiority over the clumsy and irregular practice of the wasteful broad-cast husbandry; and posterity will ever gratefully remember the names of, and , if, by their joint labours, one half of the above stated quantity of grain and seeds, that is, together eight or nine millions of bushels, could be annually saved to the nation, before one half of the present eventful century is expired.  DRINKING, is one of the animal functions, essential to the proper solution and digestion of food. Although the proportion of liquid to that of dry, or solid food, cannot be precisely ascertained; yet, if the constant secretion of fluids be laid down as the basis of this computation, we should, perhaps, drink double the quantity of the solid provisions we daily consume. Nevertheless, even this proportion is but too often exceeded, merely to