1847.] JVolice to Subscribers. 287 



TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS. 



We deem it proper to say, that when we undertook the task of 

 conducting this Journal it was not for the purpose of pecuniary 

 gain. We had a higher object in view, that of disseminating in- 

 formation of a higher order than had been attempted by the jour- 

 nals then established. This object we have steadily kept in view, 

 and our pages will speak for themselves whether the object has 

 failed or not. We think not. The doctrines we have laid down 

 we are ready still to sustain and support. We have not run after 

 any of the false lights. We have not induced our patrons to 

 adopt practices in husbandry which have failed, and by which 

 losses have ensued. Our views of the progress of husbandry, 

 and the means by which it is to make progress, are probably 

 somewhat different from our cotemporaries. We do not expect a 

 rapid progress; the establishment and dissemination of correct 

 principles of farming will require time. Whoever expects agri- 

 culture will make rapid advances w' ill be disappointed. Whoever 

 expects that farming will be conducted without labor and study 

 will be disappointed, and so will those who are expecting much 

 from electro-culture and other analogous substitutes for fertilizers, 

 will fall into the same ranks. 



The application of chemical principles and facts combined with 

 a knowledge of physiology of plants and animals, and then the 

 application of mechanics to practical husbandry, must lie at the 

 foundation of progress in agriculture. It must not be forgotten 

 that agriculture is complex in its relations, that it really involves 

 in its practices a knowledge of most of the sciences. It is espe- 

 ciallv so, as conducted by agriculturists as a body. All raise 

 stock, grass and the grains, with the tuberous and tap rooted 

 vegetables. It is true a farmer's boy can scatter seed, can feed 

 potatoes or grain to a fatting ox, or a pen of pigs. But the doing 

 of this in the most economical way involves something more than 

 pouring out the contents of a basket or pail, and yet this consti- 

 tutes, even now wMth many, the whole operation of fattening ani- 

 mals. How potatoes and corn are converted into pork and beef, 

 wool or hair, is never thought of; much less is it supposed that 

 circumstances can modify residts. But we did not sit down to 

 WTite an essay, nor to find fault with anybody. Our object being 

 to call the attention of our present subscribers to the Journal for 

 another year. We have said the labor of conducting it was not 

 undertaken with the view of making money, neither do we ask 

 support at the present time with the expectation of promoting 

 this object. 



