ADVERTISEMENT. 



The Returns of the various agricultural societies in the Common- 

 wealth, for the year 1847, are very fully presented in the following 

 pages. The Digest has been made under the efficient and intelligent 

 agency of the same gentleman — Hon. A. W. Dodge, of Hamilton — 

 who prepared the two preceding volumes. These annual volumes, 

 thus made up, are increasing regularly in importance and value ; and 

 the interest awakened by them is evidently very greatly enhanced 

 throughout the community. 



If all the societies in the Commonwealth would make strenuous 

 efforts to present ample reports of their doings, a volume might annu- 

 ally be furnished, which would hold the same rank among the farmers 

 which the annual volume of law reports holds amongst lawyers. It 

 would carry with it authority. What has already been accomplished 

 abundantly indicates, that this hope will not fail of being eventually 

 realized. 



What is more especially needed, is a copious and minute detail of 

 the experience of farmers in the raising of crops, and in the general 

 management of their farms. In the making of statements for the 

 records and returns of the societies, there is no danger of being too 

 minute. The fault usually alleged against such statements, is, that 

 many details are omitted which are indispensable to the forming of 

 correct judgments concerning results. It very often happens, in giv- 

 ing accounts of valuable crops, that the accompanying descriptions of 

 the soil are exceedingly loose ; and yet this is a point of vital import- 



