[ xiii I 



The firft Article in this Volume, the com- 

 munication of a Gentleman of large experi- 

 ence in rural fcience, is long and elaborate. 

 But as the fubjecl: is confeffedly of great im- 

 portance in the prefent improved fyftem of 

 cultivation, it is prefumed that no apology 

 can be neceflary for inferting, at large, a 

 piece which is evidently the refult of un- 

 common ingenuity, and practical obfervation. 

 The value of Potatoes, both as an article of 

 hufbandry, and general confumption in fa- 

 milies, is now fo fully eftablifhed, that no 

 argument is required to enforce it. The 

 feries of fafts, thus given by Dr. Anderson, 

 and interfperfed with numerous remarks re- 

 fusing from thofe facts, it is prefumed, will 

 throw very confiderable light on the pro- 

 perties and value of the root in queftion. 

 And if fome experiments fhould be found of 

 comparatively lefs importance than others, 

 and fome conjectures of a lefs certain ten- 

 dency, the Society cannot but be allured, that 

 a large tribute of public praife will be paid to 



the 



