8 



iiig to envy in the most favored regions of tlic west* 

 Such, gentlemen, is the history of the Society for the last 

 six- yeai's. With reference to the future, the occasion 

 does not permit me to be particular. 'I'he nature of onr 

 soils ; their various fitness for difterent objects of cultiva- 

 tion ; improved implements of husbandry ; more careful 

 and eifectual attention to the operations of your ploughs 

 and harrows ; the better management of your meadow 

 grounds ; discretion in the selection and management of 

 all domestic animals : all are directly connected with a 

 system of prosperous husbandry, and claim your constant 

 attention. Without an adequate solicitude and devotion 

 to these objects, no man can become a prosperous farmer. 

 Care has been bestowed, that every variety and degree of 

 desirable information, on these subjects, should be col- 

 lected and placed within the reach of every man. The in- 

 dustry and solicitude of divers distinguished men of our 

 ov»n country, has led them to compile, from their own 

 observations, many valuable essays, which will prove 

 jnost useful aids to all who 7nay xvisely doubt whether they 

 Rre perfectly well informed on the subjects of their pursuits. 

 To ail such, allow me to ask their attention to the Massa- 

 chusetts Agricultural Repository and Journal — to the val- 

 uable memoirs of the Philadelphia Society for promoting 

 agriculture — to Livingston's Essay on Sheep — to Law- 

 rence's general treatise on cattle, and other animals. And 

 ])ermit me to call to the recollection of the literary man, 

 the Gcorgics, written in the Augustan age of the Rom- 

 ans, expressly to reclaim the knowledge of tillage and ru- 

 ral employments, which a long period of wars and suffer- 

 iug had prostrated. The Chief of Roman Bards was se- 

 lected to execute this important enterprize. With what 

 success — witli what eiftct, the benevolent task was exe- 

 cuted, the history of that period assures us. Imperial 

 honors v\cre dccieed liim ; and the homage of an hundred 



