TO THE PUBLIC 



ly begun in this country; and though we may be disappointed in 

 our expectations from it, we believe no one will venture to deny 

 its importance and necessity. But while we thus explicitly state 

 the main scope and range of our work as it regards agriculture, 

 we wish it to be understood that we do not design to confme it 

 wholly to this department. We intend to record the discoveries, 

 and to lay before our readers the most interesting facts, in science 

 at large, so far at least as our pages will admit; always, however, 

 aiming at judicious selection, and extending only so far as may 

 enable our readers to keep pace with the progress of knowledge. 

 It will be a part of our object to give occasional abstracts of the 

 proceedings of scientific bodies, and notices and reviews of new 

 publications. Without attempting a dogmatic course, we shall 

 assume the right to express our opinions on matters pertaining to 

 the subjects discussed in the journals and other scientific publica- 

 tions of the day; always, however, with a proper respect for the 

 views and opinions of others, and under the conviction that we 

 are all liable to err. 



In conclusion, we feel deeply the responsibilities of the task we 

 have undertaken. W^e are not unaware of the labors we shall be 

 called to perform if we are faithful, and wish to be useful; nor of 

 the vexations and embarrassments which attend the conductino- of a 

 public journal. But we do not rely wholly upon our own resour- 

 ces and personal exertions. We respectfully solicit our friends, 

 and all who feel interested in the promotion and diffusion of agri- 

 cultural information, to aid us in this undertaking; and, at the 

 same time, we are pledged to furnish at least a moderate remune- 

 ration to those contributors who may supply us with communica- 

 tions suitable to our pages. 



E. EMMONS, 

 A. J. PRIME. 



Albany, January^ 1845. 



