FARMERS' REGISTER— STATE OE THE FARMERS' REOISTER. 



765 



But however useful may have been the combined ef- 

 forts exliibited in the pages of this journal, the benefit 

 as yet has been very small, compared to what may be 

 obtained by more general exertions: and extensive as 

 is the list of contributors, there are far greater num- 

 bers among the subscribers who might render in tliat 

 way great service, and to all of whom this journal is 

 not yet indebted for a single communication. Let all 

 such persons but follow the good example of others, 

 and nothing more need be required to assure the speedy 

 doubling the value of the contents, and far more than 

 doubling the circulation and beneficial influence of the 

 work. 



The subscription list has continued to show a slow 

 but steady increase. At the close of the first volume, 

 more than one hundred names were withdrawn. This 

 was less than had been expected — as (besides all other 

 reasons) many persons will aid the commencement of 

 a new work which they deem of public value, without 

 feeling any personal interest in its contents, or intend- 

 ing to continue subscribers longer than a year. 

 This loss has been more than made good by new sub- 

 scriptions. The present number for Vol. II. and 

 commencing with its beginning, is not much short of 

 1400 copies, and the greater part of all new subscri- 

 bers have also taken Vol. I. — which demands have 

 nearly exhausted the impression of 1.500 copies of that 

 volume. The principal support from subscriptions is 

 still derived from the eastern half of Virginia — and 

 very little has yet been furnished west of the Blue 

 Ridge Mountains, (except the county of Rockbridge, 

 which has given a liberal support,) or from any other 

 states except Maryland, North Carolina, South Caroli- 

 na, and Alabama, each of which gives a moderate and 

 growing subscription. Even in the region in which 

 the work is best supported, there are particular coun- 

 ties which give very little aid. Nothing is wanting to 

 obtain subscribers in all the places where there are now 

 few or none, but some exertion from men of influence, 

 who will make the existence and character of the 

 work known, and thus induce the addition of new 

 names. In every neighborhood where it is known that 

 some one individual has already so labored for the suc- 

 cess of the work, there has been obtained a good and 

 enduring support. But without such aid, the useful- 

 ness, and even the existence of an agricultural journal 

 becomes known very slowly. The editor pretends not 

 to any personal claim for such favors — but he presumes 

 to ask some such exertion of the influence of every 

 one of his present subscribers who believes that by 

 supporting the Farmers' Register, he is promoting the 

 agricultural improvement and general prosperity of his 

 country. A full, though not direct return may be 

 made to subscribers from suph aid. Various improve- 

 ments of tlie work are under consideration, and will 

 be made as soon as its increased income may permit — 

 such as a more frequent use of engravings — more ex- 

 tended sources of information from foreign publica- 

 tions — the offering of premiums for experiments, &ic. 

 — the employment of competent persons to make per- 

 sonal examination, and prepare reports of well cultiva- 

 ted farms, or districts — and either increasing the size, 



or lessening the price of the publication — all are ob- 

 jects in view, the attainment of which will depend on 

 a sufficiently augmented subscription list. There 

 would be nothing more interesting, or valuable, than the 

 publication of full and correct reports of the practices 

 of particular farms, or of larger districts, distinguished 

 for good husbandry — and the desire has never ceased, 

 to present something more of that kind than has been 

 done already This intention has been delayed only 

 because of the difficulty of employing competent tour- 

 ists and reporters, and the want of sufficient profits to 

 make adequate compensation for such valuable ser- 

 vices. The aid and the purse of the commonwealth 

 would be required, and ought to be given, to obtain full 

 and correct agricultural reports of the Tarious sections 

 of Virginia. Nevertheless, even by private and indi- 

 vidual efforts, it is hoped that some such materials may 

 be collected — some fragments exhibited as specimens 

 of the value of a general and complete report of the 

 agricultural practices, improvements, and resources o 

 the country. 



Many public spirited individuals, who are not land 

 holders, have become subscribers to this work, who, of 

 course, can derive no direct profit from the publication. 

 But in the great majority of cases, its supporters are 

 practical farmers, or land holders — and for all such, the 

 assertion may be hazarded, that every one derives from 

 its contents a direct pecuniary return, at least equal to 

 his expense — and in many cases surpassing the cost an 

 hundredfold. If this view of the subject was fairly 

 taken, and the question of supporting the work could be 

 placed on this footing, nothing better would be want- 

 ing for its success: and no greater number of subscri- 

 bers need be coveted, than those who might (and 

 would, if they were readers,) derive as much instruc- 

 tion as would at least repay tlie value of their purchase 

 money. 



At the close of a volume many withdrawals of sub- 

 scriptions must, of course, be expected. Of those 

 subscribers who may determine to withdraw their sup- 

 port, it is requested that they will make the annuncia- 

 tion as soon as possible — and at any rate not postpone 

 it until the commencement of another year of publica- 

 tion leaves them no such power. The requisition of a 

 timely notice of every discontinuance must be uni- 

 formly adhered to: and to this, as well as to every 

 other condition of the terms of publication the partic- 

 ular attention of subscribers is again earnestly request- 

 ed. 



With this No., accounts will be sent to all persons 

 who are now indebted for two years' subscription. 



The payments for subscriptions, have in general 

 been made with uncommon punctuality — and without 

 any solication by collectors, or otherwise, except the 

 sending of a bill to those only who had not paid for 

 the first year, after seventeen months from its com- 

 mencement. But while thanks are due to much the 

 greater number for their marked attention in this re- 

 spect, there are still more than 200 who have received 

 ; the work from the commencement, without having aa 

 yet paid any thing for their subscription. Some of 

 these we know to be wealthy men, or otherwise of 



