PREFACE 



Hatpily arrived in the Fortieth year of our existence as a 

 Society, we venture to publish our Fifth Volume of Memoirs. 

 We look back with delight, on our early endeavours to produce 

 the present most encouraging examples of that prosperity, which 

 pervades every quarter of our Union. Mortifying, indeed, were 

 our early prospects, when we had, almost alone, both collectively 

 and individually, to contend against the prejudices which have, 

 now, in a great degree, vanished from the great body of our farm- 

 ing fellow-citizens ; though yet remaining, in deplorable plenty, 

 among too many of those whose interest and happiness it has 

 been our constant aim to promote. To us, who began the great 

 work, without auxiliaries, it affords the highest gratification, to 

 perceive the brilliant contrast to our labours, and too often, in- 

 efficient exertions, to conquer the apathy of many, and the 

 prejudices of the greatest number of those who valued them- 

 selves on practical knowledge, which induced them to de- 

 spise information adapted to change inveterate habits ; or in- 

 troduce modes of farming to which they and their forefathers 

 had not been accustomed. Few of our fellow citizens of other 

 professions, were, in early times, sensible of the necessity of 

 their assistance to farmers; by bestowing part of their wealth, 

 much of their scientific acquirements, and some portion of 

 their time to the aid and improvement of an art, yet imper- 

 fect, but essential to the support of all other employments 

 and indispensably necessary to the comfort and existence of 

 every member of our community, be his station in life what it 

 may. Now, we see, throughout our country. Agricultural Asso- 

 ciations, consisting of members the most distinguished and in- 

 fluential. Wealth, talent, zeal, and practical skill, are all en- 

 listed in the great cause wherein we were the forerunners ; and 

 though still the ardent supporters, often the almost hopeless, but 

 never the despairing promoters. Our sensations are truly alive 

 to past recollections, and present enjoyments, and we feel 



