The style is old-fashioned, and the word âbutâ superfluous i e unnecessary. âI make no doubt that . .â means âI have no doubt that . .â
He is saying that people are generally more naturally capable than we realise, because they need a supportive environment [education, culture, soil cultivated] and the right circumstances [situation, occasions, season favourable] to demonstrate their ability. We will never know how many great people are farming the land [âat the ploughtailâ] or working in shops and workshops [âbehind countersâ].