INTRODUCTION. 



CONTAINING 



An account of various Topics of Experiment and 

 Obfervation, which have engaged the attention 

 . of this Society fince the Publication of the lafl: 

 Volume. 



[By the Secretary.] 



TN conformity with the biennial cuftom of this Society, 

 another volume makes its appearance. Its contents, 

 like thofe of the preceding, are a mifcellaneous arrange- 

 ment of fuch articles as, from time to time, were deemed 

 by the Committee of " Correfpondence and Enquiry" moft 

 worthy of publick notice. In all collections by a variety 

 of hands, there muft of necelTity be a confiderable difference 

 in point of merit : but it is prefumed that every article of 

 the following pages will be found in fome degree worthy of 

 attention, as conducing to the diflemination of ufeful opi- 

 nions and knowledge, and thereby to the improvement of 

 the country. 



In the concerns of foreign commerce, and the diverfified 

 policy of far diflant connections, it was never the defign of 

 this local eftablifhment to take a very adfive part : and in- 

 deed the fcite of its activity, if fuch had been its views, 

 mufl have precluded it from any fanguine hopes of fuccefs. 

 The department of Agriculture was known to be fo im- 



voL, VIII. a portant 



