vi Preface. 
SS eee 
of a few. We are abundantly happy to perceive, every 
where, agricultural improvement; growing even under the 
praise-worthy skill and labours of unconnected individuals ; 
not enjoying the advantages, which a knowledge of the suc- 
cess of others, in approved practices, would impart. Yet, un- 
less a general spirit of systematical improvement can be 
roused, the progress must be slow. We see the extent of the 
ground; but feel ourselves inadequate to the occupation of 
it. When speculation, and a thirst for instant gain, find ob- 
jects of employment tending to immediate profit, real or 
fanciful, ardour in the pursuit is rapid and active. But when 
results are produced by combinations not strikingly apparent, 
we are not disappointed when we find, that much time and 
pains are required, to produce general attention, and salutary 
conviction. 
It is vain to say, that agriculture is sufficiently encouraged, 
by those who take off and consume, or deal in, its products. 
This may be said of any other branch of labour, art, employ- 
ment, or pursuit. It has been found, in all ages and coun- 
tries, that the cultivators of the soil require peculiar atten- 
tion to instruction in their own art. Genius, learning, pa- 
triotism, wealth and power, have been, from the remotest 
times, employed in their encouragement. This encourage- 
ment has ever been deemed the most honourable, and the 
brightest ornament, to the characters oi those who bestowed it. 
The wise and good LEADER ot the patriots of his day, who 
was an instrument, in the hands of heaven and his country, 
to lay the foundations of our present prosperity (unexam- 
pled in other regions of our globe, though deplorable and 
vexatious casualities, unjust and oppressive trespasses, and 
mortifying interruptions, too oiten lop its exuberances) 
was, in addition to his other virtues, distinguished for his 
ardent devotion to the interests 0' AGRICULTURE; and de- 
lighted in its practical pursuits. He has erected ior himself, 
4 MONUMENT to his fame, in the happiness of his country. 
