Preface, iii 



by the society, was a laudable competition among dairjMnen, 

 and an increased demand, owing to the striking improvement, 

 in the qualit}^ of the article, and a rise in price, so as amply 

 to reward, and extend the manufacture, and in a great degree, 

 preclude the necessity of importation. At the present day 

 no occasion exists, for the importation of cheese from Europe^ 

 for general consumption, or as an indispensable supply. Im- 

 portations on a less scale, continue to be made, but these are 

 in a small proportion to the quantity produced, and manufac- 

 tured from our own dairies. 



After several years of active exertions, the society was un- 

 fortunately permitted to fall into a long sleep ; but was again re- 

 vived, in the winter of 1804, and now holds regular meetings. 

 New subjects for premiums have been proposed, as will be 

 seen by the present volume, and have been several months in 

 circulation : numerous communications have been received ; 

 from which those now published, are a selection ; and some 

 papers before published are added ; as being thought worth^^ 

 of preservation, in our collection. As it is the wish of the 

 society to pursue its labours,* with all the zeal due to the im- 

 portance of the object, for which it was instituted, the com- 

 munications of all practical agriculturists, upon whose support 

 the usefulness of the Society will in a great measure depend, 

 are earnestly solicited. The example being once set, will be 

 followed by others ; and thus, a body of information will be 

 collected ; which may essentially benefit the country. The 

 pursuits of the industrious farmer, being more of a practical 

 than a literary nature, he may be induced to think that he is 

 not qualified to give a written account of his improvements, 

 but let not such be backward. The Society are in want of 

 facts, and they care not in what stile of language they are com- 

 municated. Criticism is missapplied, andoutof place, on such 

 occasions. The communications of philosophical andllteraiT 

 characters, on any points contributory to the elucidation of sub- 



