6 TO THE PUBLIC. 



in his readings, or who does not make it his business to post up 

 facts of the preceding years. The American farmer and gentle- 

 man, Ihen, who beyond all other men is most interested in the 

 progress of knowledge, will do himself injustice if he neglect the 

 opportunity and means of becoming acquainted with those di€C0- 

 veries which the indomitable energy of the present age is continu- 

 ally making. It may appear, to be sure, that there is an extraor- 

 dinary eagerness for discovery in pure science, but that this does 

 not become of much practical importance. This, however, is not 

 the true viewj for such is the utilitarian spirit of the age, that no 

 sooner has a discovery been made, than it is appropriated to some 

 of the branches of industry: every thing is caught up and applied 

 to the promotion of the arts, or the improvement of domestic eco- 

 nomy. 



We would not incur the charge of prolonging this address un- 

 necessarily, but wish yet to say a few words as to the means we 

 possess, and may command, to enable us to carry out the plan of 

 our work. Many gentlemen of both practical and scientific ac- 

 quirements, who are especially occupied in researches for the ad- 

 vancement of science and agriculture, are already engaged as con- 

 tributors to our Journal. Our own individual connection with the 

 geological and agricultural surveys, has placed within our reach 

 much important matter relating to agriculture, both in this and 

 other States of the Union. We propose also to extend our re- 

 searches south and west, for the purpose of seeking out new sour- 

 ces of information on subjects most interesting and useful in the 

 sphere of our labors, and of rendering our publication what its 

 title imports, a Journal of American Agriculture. It will be our 

 personal endeavor to multiply the means for increasing the pro- 

 ducts of the earth, and to encourage the prosecution of those 

 inquiries which may lead to the discovery of new sources of the 

 fertilizing agent, particularly the phosphates and carbonates, the 

 inorganic elements which constitute so essential a portion of many 

 of our most valued vegetable productions. This inquiry is scarce- 



