viii PREFACE. 



this important objedl j and that too at an age which generally carries 

 with it a difpenfation from the cares and fervice of the public, to 

 thofe who have lefs zeal for its real intereft. The variety of his 

 experiments, and the remarkably judicious obfervations which he 

 makes upon them, fhew him to be pofleffed of the moft extenfive 

 knowledge of this fubjedl. 



Such are the laudable examples of two foreigners, for the ad- 

 vancement of Agriculture. The feveral Academies lately formed,. 

 and thofe which are now forming, in different Provinces of France 

 and Swifferland, for the improvement of Hufbandry and Com- 

 merce, fhew the readinefs of their countrymen to profit by and pur- 

 fue their excellent plan; which we propofe to ours, as highly de- 

 ferving their ferious attention. This kingdom has indeed already 

 produced fome inftances of the fame kind : but, unfortunately, the 

 difcoveries of many ingenious and intelligent men among us, dif- 

 coveries often founded on adlual experience, and therefore doubly 

 valuable, are not fufficiently known, for want of a proper chan- 

 nel of public communication j the eftablifliing of which, if rightly 

 effedled, could not but be attended with very great and lafting 

 benefits. The late Lord Townfhend thought Agriculture to be an 

 objeft well worthy of his attention, and actually introduced the ufe 

 of marie, and the hulbandry now followed in the county of Norfolk, 

 which, to this day, is greatly indebted to him for fo valuable an im- 

 provement : and furdy nothing could more become his Lordfliip, than 

 thus to dignify his retirement, by making it ufeful to the public. 



The misfortune is, that the fuccefs of thefe generous attempts of 

 individuals, of whatever rank, is generally too much limited; often 

 within the bounds of a county, or two at moft : for the common 

 farmer is perhaps the leaft inquifitive of any man, after improve- 

 ments in his own bufinefs; is frequently the moft obftinately at- 

 tached to the practice of his predecefTors ; and often too, we muft 

 allow, it might not confift with prudence for him to rifk his little 

 competence, upon the fuccefs of experiments. 



But we promife ourfelves, that it will be the happinefs of the pre- 

 fcnt age to fee every obftacle removed, which might retard a general 

 improvement in Hulbandry ; the genuine and original fource of the 



wealth 



