N E W P U B L I C A T I C N S . ] ] 3 



this volume of the Transactions. As a general thing, it contains 

 p amount of valuable common sense matter, well digested opinion 

 md strong facts, which is surpassed by no volume published since 

 n the more palmy and flourishing years of the society. 

 I From the early part of this century till 1832, we fmd no great 

 ■vidence of the progress of this association. At this time a num- 

 ber of gentlemen assembled in Albany and organized again an 

 (gricultural society. Little interest, however, was excited in the 

 ;ubject, and it sustained little more than a nominal existence al- 

 hough incorporated by the legislature, till 1841. It was then 

 oorganized, and an appropriation was made, by the state, of 

 ■ .MOO a year for five years, to be applied by the state and county 

 I'ties, for the promotion of agriculture and household manufac- 

 ues in the state. From this time we may date the more impor- 

 mt operations of this association ; and for the four past years of 

 s existence it has annually given to the legislature a large vol- 

 me of reports of its doings, to which is added a large amount of 

 |.atter which is unfortunately quite unconnected with its opera- 

 ■ons, and much of which, it is proper to say, is mixed up with 

 ijue speculation and some gross errors. We regret that we are 

 iiipelled to say this, for those who are employed in the prepara- 

 on of such books should be exceedingly careful what kind of 

 alter is incorporated in it. The farmer is not as yet a man of 

 ience, and is not consequently capable of separating what is 

 rong from what is right. The desire for knowledge relating to 

 s business is gaining ground, and is already very extensive. All 

 at is written on the subject is eagerly sought for, and a laro-e 

 3rtion of intelligent agriculturists are ready to seize upon any 

 |)unsel that promises to show them how they may increase their 

 jops and compete with more productive portions of the country, 

 'hus they are ready to receive as true the principles advanced by 

 jominent men in whom they have been accustomed to place con- 

 ilence ; and if the practice does not prove the doctrine true, they 

 56 disgusted and discouraged, and often ready to recur to their 

 •fl condemnation of book- farming. The agricultural population 

 i|becoming every year more and more ready to enter upon the 

 ijprovemcnts which have within a few years been introduced. 

 'It they must have the results of their own experience to confirm 

 teir experiment or the whole is counted false. They need cautious 

 VOL. n. — xo. I. P 



