University of Virginia Library

217. AGRICULTURE, French and English.—

I traversed England much, and own
both town and country fell short of my expectations.
Comparing it with France, I
found a much greater proportion of barrens,
a soil, in other parts, not naturally so good
as this, not better cultivated, but better manured,
and therefore more productive. This
proceeds from the practice of long leases
there, and short ones here.—
To John Page. Washington ed. i, 549. Ford ed., iv, 213.
(P. 1786)