INTRODUCTION. | hii 
If, laftly, it be confidered as a benefit to the publick, for 
the browfing of {tray or travelling cattle; it muft be a benefit 
to that publick, purchafed at a /s/s, in proportion as a rude 
uncultivated furface is Jefs productive and valuable than an 
inclofed and improved one. The common modern allow- 
ance, therefore, of forty feet fhould feem to be abundantly 
fufficient, for all ufeful purpofes. 
But if thefe ftriCtures are infufficient objeGtions to very 
wide borders, the writer would be extremely happy to rectify 
his ideas by the fuperior ones of the gentlemen, whom he 
now prefumes to addrefs, if they would be pleafed to exprefs 
them—for few men can think more highly of their abilities— 
no one can wifh more to avail himfelf of their criticifm. 
Refpecting the articles which compofe this volume, they 
will be found to be mifcellaneous, as heretofore.—And as 
one or more of them may be liable to a former objection, 
i. é. of being fomewhat foreign from the bufinefs of agricul- 
ture, and on that account the lefs proper, it is right, once 
for all, to offer the general anfwer to fuch objeétions. 
This Society has from its commencement given its chief 
attention to agricultural fubjefts; but, as its title has al- 
ways announced a more general fcope of patronage, by ta- 
king in Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, it is confidered 
as perfectly confiftent with its plan, to admit occafional 
papers from ingenious writers, which may rank under either 
head. And fuch writers, on topics‘of general concern, 
whether members of this Society or not, will not fail to be 
treated with refpe¢t—and the Society’s invitation of their 
correfpondence is hereby again renewed. 
W. MATTHEWS, Secretary. 
